Press Release

October 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

October 13 at 2 pm EDT: Celebrate composer Chou Wen-chung's 101th birthday with a special virtual concert and watch party

Chou Wen-chung's (1923-2019) music performed by Continuum new music ensemble hosted by conductor Joel Sachs and Chou's son Luyen

Colleagues, students, and friends of the late composer, including Chen Yi, Zhou Long, and Roger Reynolds join for a live post-concert panel

On October 13 at 2 pm EDT (11 am PDT), enjoy a live online watch party of a very special concert celebrating the music of Chou Wen-chung (1923–2019) and his 101st birthday.

A composer of music that draws on both Euro-American modernism and Chinese tradition, Chou Wen-chung has left behind a legacy of cultural exchange across international borders. The Chinese-born composer had an enormous influence on concert music in America and was responsible for bringing over the next generation of musicians from China. His former students, including Tan Dun, Zhou Long, and Bright Sheng, have won Grammy awards, Pulitzer Prizes, and Guggenheim fellowships.

The virtual watch party on October 13 centers around a video recording of a live concert performed at Columbia University earlier this year with new music ensemble Continuum under the direction of Joel Sachs. The concert represents the first public US performance of Chou’s recently rediscovered orchestral work In the Mode of Shang, as well as four other pieces composed throughout his career. The program displays Chou’s special ability to blend Eastern and Western styles, techniques and tropes in his compositions.

Exclusive to the October 13 event, each work will be introduced by Sachs in dialogue with the composer’s older son Luyen Chou. Following the program, registered listeners can gain exclusive access to participate in a live online panel discussion. and a panel that includes some of Chou Wen-chung’s most eminent friends, students and protégés—Lei Liang, Zhou Long, Roger Reynolds, Chinary Ung, Delong Wang and Chen Yi—moderated by Kathryn Knight. Both the concert and panel discussion are free of charge.

More about the concert and conversation and how to watch at this link.

The event is part of an ongoing endeavor to maintain and extend Chou Wen-chung’s legacy. Other components include commissioned works in Chou's name in China and the United States, a lecture series at the 21st Century China Center at UCSD, the Center for US-China Arts Exchange at Columbia University, and more.

October 13, 2024 at 2 pm EDT

Virtual Watch Party

Concert Celebrating Chou Wen-chung’s

Centennial and his Legacy

Performed by CONTINUUM

Joel Sachs, conductor and piano

Details here

PROGRAM

All selections by Chou Wen-chung (1923 – 2019) 

The Willows are New (1957)

Yu Ko (Fisherman’s Song) (1965)

Twilight Colors (2007)

Ode to Eternal Pine (2009)

In the Mode of Shang (1956) (US Premiere) 

Watch party followed by a live post-concert discussion with Luyen Chou, Joel Sachs, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Roger Reynolds, and other special guests.

CONTINUUM chamber orchestra features long-time Continuum players Renée Jolles, violin; Stephanie Griffin, viola; Kristina Reiko Cooper, cello; Emily Duncan, flute (Continuum debut); and Moran Katz, clarinet with additional instrumentalists