PERFORMANCE VISION
Bright Sheng
MAJOR GUEST APPEARANCES AS CONDUCTOR AND PIANIST
San Francisco Symphony (conductor, pianist) New York Chamber Symphony (conductor) Seattle Symphony Orchestra (conductor, pianist) Carnegie Hall Association (conductor, pianist) San Francisco Ballet (conductor) Lincoln Center Festival (conductor) Tanglewood Music Center (conductor, pianist) Prince Music Theater, Philadelphia (conductor) Spoleto Festival, USA (conductor, pianist) Brevard Music Festival (conductor, pianist) Silk Road Project Workshop/Tanglewood Music Center (conductor, pianist) Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival (conductor, pianist) Hong Kong Philharmonic (pianist) New West Symphony Orchestra, CA (conductor, pianist) Lexington Symphony Orchestra, KY (conductor) Orchestra 2001, Philadelphia (conductor, pianist) Asian Youth Orchestra (conductor) Bowdoin Summer Music Festival (conductor, pianist)
Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (pianist) Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (pianist) La Jolla Chamber Music Festival (pianist) Seattle International Music Festival (pianist) Seattle Chamber Music Festival (pianist) University of Michigan Contemporary Direction (conductor, pianist) University of Washington New Music Ensemble (conductor) Western Washington University (conductor, pianist)
MAJOR MUSIC DIRECTORSHIPS AND ARTISTIC DIRECTORSHIPS
Bright Sheng
San Francisco Symphony “Wet Ink” New Music Festival (two weeks, 8 concerts)
Tanglewood Music Center/Festival of Contemporary Music (one week, 12 concerts) (see attached programs)
Seattle Symphony “East Meets West” -- A Pacific Rim New Music Festival (two weeks, 4 concerts)
CONDUCTING REPERTOIRE
Bright Sheng
Traditional Music
Bartók Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs Hungarian Sketches Dance Suite Dance of Transylvania Rumanian Folk Dances Concerto for Orchestra Suite #1 for orchestra, op. 3 Suite #2 for orchestra, op. 4 Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin Piano Concerto #1 Piano Concerto #2 Piano Concerto #3 Concerto for 2 Pianos and Percussion Viola Concerto, op. post. Violin Concerto #1 Violin Concerto #2 Four Orchestra Pieces
Berlioz Overture to Benvenuto Cellini Harold in Italy, op.16 Requiem, op.5
Bernstein/Sheng Arias and Barcaroles
Bernstein West Side Story: Symphonic Dances West Side Story: Overture Overture to Candide Chichester Psalms Fancy Free: Suite Trouble in Tahiti Symphony #2 (“The Age of Anxiety”) Serenade
Busoni Turandot Suite, op. 41
Copland Appalachian Spring Two Pieces Clarinet Concerto Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson Lincoln Portrait Music for a Great City Music for the Theater Quiet City El salón México Symphony #3
Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Ravel) Pictures at an Exhibition (arr. Tushmalov) Night on Bald Mountain Night on Bald Mountain (arr. Rimsky-Korsakov)
Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky, op 78 Classical Symphony, op 25 Piano Concerto #3 Violin Concerto #2 American Overture Peter and the Wolf, op 67 Romeo and Juliet: Suites #1, #2, #3
Ravel Ma Mere l’Oye (Mother Goose): 5 Pieces enfantines Ma Mere l’Ove (Mother Goose): full ballet Shéhérazade (w/solo soprano) Shéhérazade, overture de feerie Boléro Piano Concerto in G major Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major Daphnis et Chloé, Suite #1 Daphnis et Chloé, Suite #2 Rapsodie espagnole Tzigane, for violin and orchestra La Valse
Respighi Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome) Fontane di Roma
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, op.35 Sinfonietta on Russian Themes, op.31 Tsar Sultan: Suite, op 57 Tsar Sultan: Flight of the Bumblebee
Shostakovich Symphony #8 Symphony #5 Symphony #10 Symphony #13 (“Babi Yar”) Chamber Symphony
Sibelius Symphony #2 Symphony #5 Violin Concerto, op. 47
Strauss, R. Don Juan, op 20 Don Quixote, op 25 Metamorphosen Salome’s Dance Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche
Stravinsky Le Chant du Rossignol (Song of the Nightingale) Agon L’Histoire du soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) Pétrouchka (1947 version) Firebird Suite Symphony in C Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring) Danses concertantes Capriccio for piano and orchestra Les Noces
CONTEMPORARY REPERTOIRE
Includes works by:
John Adams Hang Yong David Lang P.Q. Phan Bright Sheng (All Works) Steve Stucky Tan Dun
SAMPLE PROGRAMMING IDEAS
Bright Sheng
Chinese Theme
Program I (possible title: “China Dreams”)
Stravinsky Le Chant du Rossignol (Song of the Nightingale)
Sheng Flute Moon
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Sheng China Dreams
Bartók Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin
Program II (possible title: “China Dreams”)
Ravel Ma Mere l’Oye (Mother Goose): 5 Pieces enfantines
Sheng Two Poems from the Sung Dynasty
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Sheng Postcards
Busoni Turandot Suite, op. 41
Silk Road Theme
Program I (possible title: “From China to Rome”)
Bartók Fifteen Hungarian Peasant Songs
Sheng Flute Moon
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Sheng Red Silk Dance
Respighi Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome)
Program II (possible title: “The Thread of Silk”)
Stravinsky The Firebird Suite
Sheng “The Song and Dance of Tears” for pipa, sheng, violoncello, piano and orchestra
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Ravel Shéhérazade
Sheng China Dreams
Program III (possible title: “The Huns of Asia”)
Sheng Tibetan Swing
Bartok Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta
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Sheng Two Poems for Violoncello and Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade, op.35
"War and Repression"
Program I
Sheng Nanking! Nanking!
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Shostakovich Symphony #8
Program II
Sheng Hun (Lacerations): In Memoriam 1966-1976
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Shostakovich Symphony #10
FESTIVALS
“Pacific Rim” (with the Seattle and Vancouver Symphonies) (possible titles: “East and West”; “Music of the Pacific Rim”)
“Chinese Music” (with festivals in Hong Kong and China)
“Silk Road Music” (with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project)
"American Music" (with the Tanglewood Music Center) (possible titles: “America the Beautiful”; “The Splendor of American Music”)
Artistic approach:
Each festival includes elements of:
1) Western classical composers whose works reflect these regions;
2) non-Western musical traditions from these regions;
3) works by contemporary composers from these regions;
4) works by contemporary composers not from these regions but influenced by the music from these regions.
Community outreach:
Each festival can incorporate Western and non-Western performers from the local community, as well as composers and performing groups specializing in ethnic genres. The program also can be brought to individual, possibly underserved communities within the region; we bring the music to them, as well as invite them to come to us.
The impact of such a music festival is intensified by coordinating it with other festivals in the area that highlight related genres such as literature, art, or theater. Ancillary events – such as exhibitions, lectures, and artistic demonstrations at local museums and universities – can also be presented, to help further involve the community in this venture, offer fascinating insights, and provide for a city-wide enthusiasm, or "ownership," of the festival. -- Bright Sheng, January 4, 2003 (Sample festival programs I)
“AMERICA–THE BEAUTIFUL”
FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC TANGLEWOOD 2002
BRIGHT SHENG, Artistic Director ------
PROGRAM I July 20, 2002
A Celebration of American Art Songs: A musical tribute to soprano Phyllis Curtin
Roger Sessions On the Beach at Fontana (1930) (1896-1985) soprano, piano
John Cage The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs (1942) (1912-1992) baritone, piano
Theodore Chanler Thomas Logge (1937) (1902-1961) baritone, piano
A Bidget (1937) tenor, piano
Virgil Thomson Susie Asado (1896-1981) tenor, piano
Ned Rorem The Serpent (1969) (born 1923) I am Rose (1955) soprano, piano
Remarks and reflections on the life and work of Phyllis Curtin by Richard Dyer, The Boston Globe
Ned Rorem Some Trees—Three Poems for Three Voices (1968) Some Trees The Grapevine Our Youth Soprano, mezzo-soprano, bass-baritone, piano Alan Smith Vignettes: Letters from George to Evelyn (2002) (born 1955) (world premiere; commissioned by the Tanglewood Music Center)
Prologue 1. Stationed in Europe: I had seen fire Good morning darling I am still the busiest guy …the build up
2. Crossing the English Cannel—Recitativo: I am the only officer
3. France, having survived the Normandy Invasion, D-Day: Downpour of rain The order of the day It is still inconceivable
4. Telegram—Schism WESTERN UNION
Epilogue
soprano, piano
William Schuman From Five Rounds on Famous Words (1956) (1910-1981) Health 2 baritones, 2 bass-baritones
Beauty 4 mezzo-sopranos
Caution 3 tenors
Aaron Copland Vocalise (1927) (1900-1990) soprano, piano
From Twelve Poems of Emily Dickinson (1949-50) There came a wind like a bugle I felt a funeral in my brain mezzo-soprano, piano
I’ve heard an organ talk sometimes Going to Heaven! mezzo-soprano, piano
Carlisle Floyd From The Mystery: Five Songs of Motherhood (1960) (born 1926) Gentleness Rocking soprano, piano
Leonard Bernstein Two Love Songs (1948) (1918-1990) Extinguish my eyes… When my would touches yours… tenor, piano
‘Make our Garden Grow’ from Candide (1956, rev. 1973) all singers and piano four hands
PROGRAM II
Overture: American Classics –– 10:30 am
John Cage Credo in US (1942)) (1912-1992) percussion, record player, radio, piano
Jacob Druckman Valentine (1969) (1928-1996) doublebass
Tromba Marina (1981) 4 doublebasses
Aaron Copland Sextet (1937) (1900-1990) Allegro Lento Finale clarinet, piano, string quartet
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Morton Feldman Extensions IV (1953) (1926-1987) three pianos
George Crumb Madrigals, Book I (1956) (born 1929) I. Verte desnuda es ercordar la tierra (To see you naked is to remember the earth) II. No piensan en la lluvia, y se han dormido (They do not think of the rain, and they’ve fallen asleep) III. Los muetos llevan alas de musgo (The dead wear mossy wings) mezzo-soprano, double bass, percussion
Stefan Wolpe Piece for trumpet and seven instruments (1971) (1902-1972) clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, violin, viola, cello, double bass
Charles Ives The Innate (1908) (1874-1954) Largo Risoluto No. 2 (1908) Hallowe’en (c. 1906) 2 violins, viola, cello, piano
(total time: ca. 40'+36'=76')
PROMGRAM III
Evening Concert –– 8:30 pm
Frank Zappa G-Spot Tornado* (1991) (5') (1940-1993) Ensemble Modern size of players
Milton Babbitt Triad (1994) (15') (born 1916) clarinet, viola, piano
William Bolcom “Twilight: After Haying” and “The Clearing,” from (born 1963) Briefly It Enters “Oh to be a Dragon,” from I will Breathe a Mountain tenor, piano
September 1, 1939 tenor, piano ======
Evan Chambers Cold Water, Dry Stone** (1998) (10') (born 1963) I. The Cold Water of Himara II.The Road to Gjirokaster Clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, violin, persussion, piano
Leon Kirchner Triptych (1988) (11') (born 1919) I. For Solo Cello II. For Violin and Cello Obbligato III.[presto] violin, cello
John Adams Chamber Symphony* (22') (born 1947) I. Mongrel Airs II. Aria with Walking Bass III.Roadrunner
fl-picc/ob/Eb cl-Bb cl-Acl/bn/c.bn/ hn/tpt/bn/synth/1perc/vn/va/vc/cb
(total time: ca. 35'+43'=78')
Program IV July 22, 2002
Prelude –– 7:30 pm
John Corigliano Mr. Tambourine Man, Seven Poems of Bob Dylan (2000) (born 1938) Prelude: Mr. Tambourine Man I. Clothes Line II. Blowin’ in the Wind III. Masters of War IV. All Along the Watchtower V. Chimes of Freedom Postlude: Forever Young Soprano, piano
(total time: ca. 35')
Concert –– 8:30 pm
Joan Tower Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman* (1986) (3') (born 1938) Second Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman*(1989) (3')
Third Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman* (1991) (6')
(scored for brass ensemble-4331/timp/3perc)
Donald Crocket Scree (1997) (15') (born 1951) I. Adagio, appassionalto, flessibile II. Vivo III. Molto moderato, cantando IV. Disperato Cello, percussion, piano
Augusta Read Thomas Passion Prayers* (1999) (12') (born 1964) vc solo/fl/cl/1per/hp/pno/vn
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Elliot Carter Oboe Quartet (2001) (17') (born 1908) oboe/violin/viola/cello
Steve Reich Triple Quartet (1999) (15') (born 1936) I. II. III.
3 string quartets
(total time: ca. 39'+32'=71')
PROGRAM V July 23, 2002
Prelude – 6pm
Steven Mackey Great Crossing, Great Divide (1996) (born 1956) 2 violins, viola, cello
Bright Sheng Three Songs for Violoncello and Pipa (1999) (born 1955) I. Seasons II. Little Cabbage III. Native Dance cello, pipa
Joel Haffman Fantasia Fiorentina (1988) (born 1953) violin, piano
Concert – 8:30 pm
Julia Wolfe Believing (1997) (born 1958) clarinet, cello, bass, percussion, electric guitar, piano
Bright Sheng Four Movements for Piano Trio (1990) I. II. III. IV. (Nostalgia) violin, cello, piano Bright Sheng Two Poems from the Sung Dynasty (1986) I. Chai Tou Feng II. Sheng Sheng Man soprano, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, percussion, harp, piano
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Geroge Perle Critical Moments (1996) (born 1915) (in 6 movements) flute/piccolo, clarinets, violin, cello, 2 percussions, piano
John Harbison Fourteen Fabled Folksongs (1992) (born 1938) War-time At our insistence Right behind you Be there later At the restaurant One sings the other listens Three times two Deep and mysterious They haven’t met From the old world Nice but too short Read it either way Backroads Almost a prayer
Lukas Foss For Aaron (2002)
(1922) (world premiere, Tanglewood Music Center commission) flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, cello, bass, percussion
PROGRAM VI July 24, 2002
Prelude – 6 pm
David Lang Cheating, Lying, Stealing (1993) (born 1957) bass clarinet, cello, 3 percussions, piano
David Del Tredici From Three Baritone Songs (1999) (born 1937) I. Quietness II. Drinking Song Baritone, piano
Arlene Sierra Neruda Settings (2002) (born 1970) I. Oda al plato II. Oda al la alcachofa III.Oda a la lagartija Soprano, flute, clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello, bass, percussion, harp, piano
Concert – 8:30 pm Tanglewood Center Orchestra
Stephen Hartke The Ascent of the Equestrian in a Balloon (1995) (born 1952) orchestra
Christopher Rouse Envoi (1995) (born 1949) orchestra
Stephen Albert Flower of the Mountain (1986) (1941-1992) soprano and orchestra
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Aaron Jay Kernis Musica Celestis (1992) (born 1960) orchestra
Bright Sheng Nanking! Nanking!—a Threnody for Orchestra and Pipa (2002) Pipa, orchestra
PROGRAM VII 8:30 pm, July 25, 2002
Lukas Foss Griffelkin (born 1922) Act I Hell’s Nursery Act II A Public Square Act III In a Garden or Street
(Sample festival programs II)
“Music from the Pacific”
Seattle Symphony, May, 2001
Artistic Directors: Bright Sheng and Gerald Schwarz ------
PROGRAM I
Large Orchestra I -- May 10, 2001
Chen Yi Ge Xu (PNW premiere) (8’) (China)(woman)
Toru Takemitsu From Me Flows What You Call Time (30’) (Japan) (PNW premiere?) Nexus Ensemble
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Gerald Levinson Five Fires (World Premiere) (9’) (USA)
Dorothy Chang Su-Nan Dances (West Coast premiere) (10’) (Taiwan/USA)(woman)
Percy Grainger Warriors (20’) (Australia)
Time: 77’
Large Orchestra II -- May 17th, 2001
Graime Koehne Powerhouse (US premiere?) (11’) (Australia) “Rhumba for Orchestra”
Lou Harrison Suite for Violin and Strings (PNW premiere?) (20’) (USA) violin soloist
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Bright Sheng Nanking! Nanking! (West Coast premiere) (17’) (China) Wu Man, pipa
Akira Nishimura Canticle of Light (US Premiere) (22’) (Japan)
Time: 77’
Chamber orchestra/chamber music I – May 12, 2001 (4 orchestral rehearsals)
P.Q. Phan Flash (WC premiere) (11’) (Vietnam) 2222/2210/2perc/hp/pno/strings
Erik Santos …con Cruces de Fuego* (WC premiere) (11’) (Philippine/USA) vn-cl-sax-bn-perc-pno
Han Yong Drifting Center-Samsara II (WC premiere) (18’) (China) 2222/2000/3perc/strings
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Carl Vine Defying Gravity* (US premiere?) (12’) (Australia) percussion quartet
Jacqueline Jeeyoung Kim Longing under the Moon* (WA premiere) (6’) (Korea)(woman) violin, harp
Bright Sheng Flute Moon (WC premiere) (17’) (China) solo fl/picc-pno-hp-timp-4perc-strings
Time: 75’ *chamber music, no conductor is required
Chamber orchestra/chamber music II -– May 19, 2001 (2 orchestral rehearsals)
Colin McPhee Nocturne for Chamber Orchestra (8’) (Canada) 1111/2perc/pno-cel/strings
Karen Tanaka Frozen Horizon* (WC premiere?) (10’) (Japan)(woman) fl-perc-2vns-va-vc-cb
Shi-Hui Chen Fu II* (WC premiere) (10’) (Taiwan)(woman) pipa-vn-vc-fl-bcl-per
Unsuk Chin Acrostic Wordplay (WC premiere) (15’) (Korea)(woman) sop-vn-va-cb-fl-ob-cl-mand-hp-2perc
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Tomiko Kojiba Requiem “Hiroshima” (WC premiere?) (9’) (Japan)(woman) string orchestra
Elena Kats-Chernin Promotion* (US premiere?) (11’) (Russia/Australia)(Woman) cl-perc-gtar-pno-vc-cb
Tan Dun Concerto for Pipa and String Orchestra (18’) (China) (WC premiere) Wu Man, Pipa
Time: 81’
*chamber music, no conductor is required
American 3 Korean 2 Australian 4 Philippino 1 Canadian 1 Taiwanese 2 Chinese 4 Vietnamese 1 Japanese 3 woman composers 8