East Meets West

The Alberta Chinese Cultural Society, Concordia University of Edmonton, and the BC Chinese Music Association present

Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 7 p.m.

Francis Winspear Centre for Music

CONCORDIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (CSO)

DANIELLE LISBOA CONDUCTOR

THE BAMBOO & MAPLE ENSEMBLES:

BC CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE (BCCME)

PEGGY HUA CONDUCTOR

BC CHINESE ORCHESTRA (BCCO)

PEGGY HUA CONDUCTOR

EDMONTON CHINESE PHILHARMONICA ASSOCIATION (ECPA)

JASON WONG CONDUCTOR

Featuring The Yellow River Piano Concerto

STEPHANIE KWAN PIANO

�1f •�� 1��;1. Alberta Chinese Cultural Society

A Message from the President

On behalf of our organization and the Board of Directors, it is my great pleasure to extend a warm welcome to everyone and all performers at tonight’s concert. Tonight’s concert concludes the weeklong “East Meets West – 2023 Maple and Bamboo Music Festival” that kicked off on April 17, 2023.

Co-organized together with the Concordia University of Edmonton and the BC Chinese Music Association, this festival comprised of workshops, seminars, and mini concerts for Albertans of all agesaround Edmonton.

We hope that this exciting weeklong musical event has brought an enriching experience to the cultural life of Edmonton, and that all musicians were able to make creative and artistic exchanges that inspire new ideas and techniques in the performing arts. The objective of this festival is to celebrate our cultural heritages and reinvigorate our appreciation for Edmonton’s diversity, by blending Eastern and Western instruments and music.

I would like to thank and commend all those who contributed in many ways to make this music festival a successful one and to those who helped bring the community together with the spirit of cultural pride. My special thanks go to Hubert Hsu, Edward Lam, Xinxin Fang, Danielle Lisoba and Lewis Cheung. We could not have done it with you.

We would also like to thank all performers for sharing your wonderful gifts of music: BC Chinese Music Ensemble, Edmonton Chinese Philharmonic, Concordia University Orchestra, Conductors Ms. Peggy Hua, Ms. Danielle Lisboa, and Mr. Jason Wong, and Pianist Ms. Stephanie Kwan We are also grateful to our sponsors, Jin Wah Sing Musical Society, the Edmonton Chinese Philharmonic Association, and the Edmonton Chinese TV for your continuous partnership throughout the years. To our audience and the Edmonton community, we are always grateful for your support

Have a great and delightful evening!

Henry Fung President

April 18– 23, 2023

Dear Friends:

I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone taking part in the Bamboo and Maple Festival – East Meets West, co - organized by the Alberta Chinese Cultural Society, Concordia University of Edmonton, and the B.C. Music Association.

This festival provides a wonderful opportunity to promote cultural exchange through a wide array of perfor mances, seminars, and workshops. A highlight of the week- long event is sure to be the concert finale featuring a unique blend of oriental and occidental musical traditions.

I would like to commend the organizers for their hard work in planning this festival. I would also like to thank all of the performers and artists for sharing their talents and heritage. Canada is truly a multicultural nation, made stronger and more resilient by our diversity.

Please accept my best wishes for an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Sincerely,

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER OF ALBERTA

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, it is my pleasure to send greetings to the 2023 Bamboo and Maple Festival – East Meets West.

Music is a beautiful way to bring cultures together. The seminars, workshops and performances throughout this week-long festival provide opportunity for artists and audiences to learn about and with one another, to experience pieces of music again or for the first time, and to appreciate the rich diversity that makes such exchanges possible. I hope everyone enjoys this celebration of traditional western and eastern music.

Many thanks to the Alberta Chinese Cultural Society, Concordia University of Edmonton and Concordia Symphony Orches tra, and BC Chinese Music Ensemble of Vancouver for making this event possible. I deeply appreciate your contributions to multiculturalism and the arts in our capital region.

Best wishes as you come together in harmony.

The Rt. Hon. Justin P. J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada

Honourable Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

Office of the Minister

Message from Honourable Jason Luan Minister

of Culture

On behalf of the Government of Alberta, I am pleased to welcome all of you to the Bamboo and Maple Festival: East Meets West.

Our province is home to individuals from various cultural backgrounds, and this diversity helps make Alberta a great place to live and work. The Bamboo and Maple Festival, where eastern and western cultures collaborate, is a wonderful example of how music brings together diverse cultures and traditions.

Thank you to the Alberta Chinese Cultural Society for your efforts in organiz ing this event, as well as to the talented musicians who will be performing. The Government of Alberta recognizes the value of this festival and the positive impact it will have on promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

I hope that everyone who attends will enjoy an unforgettable experience that enriches their lives and inspires them to continue exploring the beauty of music and cultural diversity.

Dear Friends,

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN CALGARY

Suite 100-1011, 6th Avenue S. W. Calgary AB. Canada T2P OWl Tel.(403)264-3322 Fax.(403)537-1286

I am happy to have received the invitation from the Alberta Chinese Cultural Association, the BC Chinese Music Association, and Concordia University of Edmonton to attend the Bamboo & Maple Festival and East Meets West Concert featuring the Yellow River Piano Concerto.

On behalf of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Calgary, I am pleased to extend my best wishes to the Bamboo & Maple Festival and East Meets West Concert!

Bamboo in China symbolizes evergreen in all seasons, perseverance, open-mindedness, and high integrity. It also stands for the long, profound, open, and inclusive history of Chinese civilization. Canada is a multicultural country where different cultures blend �with each other. The diversity of cultures in Canada is as beautiful as the colorfur:maple leaves. Tonight, we are happy to see Bamboo and Maple leaf embrace, and the East and the West meet. This will surely offer the enhancement of mutual beauty for the Chinese and Canadian cultures, and the deepening of the integration between the oriental & western civilizations.

Jason Luan Minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping recently put forward the Global Civilization Initiative, which calls for cultural exchanges instead of estrangement, mutual learning instead of confrontation, and inclusiveness instead of superiority. China is committed to working with the international community to build people-to-people exchanges, cultural integration, and heartfelt communication. A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden. I believe together, we can make the garden of world civilizations filled with color, diversity, equity, and vitality.

I wish you all a joyful evening!

Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Calgary

Message from His Worship Mayor Amarjeet Sohi

On behalf of City Council and the people of Edmonton, welcome to the Bamboo and Maple Festival - East Meets West!

Local festivals and events provide opportunities for citizens and visitors to connect, be active in the community, celebrate our heritage and diversity, and contribute to the local economy. Edmonton is well-known as a ‘festival city’ thanks to the many artists and performers who share their talents with us year-round

As an immigrant myself, I appreciate the greater understanding that exploring other cultures provides. The Bamboo and Maple FestivalEast Meets West blends the musical tastes of Chinese and Western areas, which encourages Edmontonians to explore the unique qualities of both.

I thank the dedicated teams at the Alberta Chinese Cultural Society, Concordia University and the B C Chinese Music Association for bringing this festival to life.

Enjoy the music!

Land Acknowledgement

by Danielle Power

Concordia University of Edmonton and its partners would like to acknowledge that the Bamboo and Maple Festival workshops and concerts will take place on Indigenous lands and territories. The main campus, Magrath campus and the Winspear Centre are all situated within Treaty No. 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation of Alberta (Region IV). Edmonton, sometimes referred to as amiskwaciy waskahikan, has always been a significant place for the Nehiyawak (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Denesųłiné (Dene), Iyarhe Nakoda (Nakoda Sioux), Nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), and Otipemisiwak (Métis) since time immemorial. We honour and respect the many Indigenous musical traditions, songs, and spirits that have been connected to this place for centuries.

Welcome to the Bamboo &Maple Festival

On behalf of Alberta Chinese Cultural Society (ACCS), Concordia Symphony Orchestra (CSO), BC Chinese Music Association (BCCMA) and Board of Directors/ staff, it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Bamboo & Maple Festival 2023, The East Meets the West concert. Thank you for joining us as we collaborate with virtuoso soloists and guest ensembles from BC and Alberta – connecting these artists with Canadian musicians and audiences. We are proud of this year’s all-star line-up, and grateful to everyone involved for their many contributions. The B&M Festival (April 19 – April 24) includes seminars, workshops in Concordia University and Chinatown Multicultural Centre. It also provides a free concert in Edmonton City Hall. We hope this Festival will be a demonstration of cultural riches and the virtue of multicultural policy in Canada. Enjoy the music!

The concert East Meets West is part of the Bamboo & Maple Festival: A Celebration of Chinese & Canadian Music

The Festival at a Glimpse | April 18 – April 24, 2023 | Various Venues

Seminars, Concerts and Events

Indigenous Drum from Canada and Bianzhong from China

April 18, Tuesday

The GuQin Culture from China and the Composing Culture from Canada April 19, Wednesday

Mini Concert and Workshop – The Chinese, the Indigenous, and the West April 20, Thursday

Banquet for Bamboo and Maple Festival

Mini workshop, Fukienese Association of Alberta

The Art of GuQin – Reflection on silk string, Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Centre

Concert in Edmonton City Hall

April 21, Friday

April 22, Saturday

April 22, Saturday

April 22, Saturday

Winspear Concert – The East meet the West April 23, Sunday

Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre – Concert by BCCME April 24, Monday

The Bamboo and Maple Festival producer – Hubert Hsu

Program

An Overture for the Worlds Allan Gilliland

Orient et occident, Op.25 Camille Saint-Saëns

Concordia Symphony Orchestra

Danielle Lisboa, conductor

Wild Dance of The Golden Snake Er Nie arranged by Jingxin Xu

Bamboo and Maple Ensemble

Jason Wong, conductor

Small Town Leung-fai Lo

Bamboo and Maple Ensemble

Peggy Hua, conductor

Memory of Childhood Leung-fai Lo

Bamboo and Maple Ensemble

Peggy Hua, conductor

Intermission

Pu-an’s Incantation Traditional arranged by Mark Armanini

Guqin Duet

BC Chinese Ensemble

Program Notes

Pu-an’s Incantation

The qin is a fretless zither made of silk strings and aged wood, which is revered in Chinese culture as an instrument of meditation and personal cultivation. The qin has strong associations with the literati and their lifestyle of contemplation and immersion in literature, poetry and painting. This piece, arranged by Mark Armanini for qin duet and Chinese chamber ensemble, is taken from traditional qin repertoire. There are two versions of this piece in circulation, one with words, which represents Monk Pu-an’s incantation, and one without words, which evokes the sound of Buddhist chant on top of bells and cymbals.

Wild Dance of The Golden Snake

This lively piece is played often at festival times and is a classic in the Chinese orchestral repertoire. It depicts the festivities of dragon dances in folk festivals with the lively sounds of gongs and drums. This piece was composed by Er Nie in 1934 and is based on a traditional melodic structure called “Lao Liu Ban.” One can hear the frequent changes of meter which makes this piece particularly captivating. This arrangement, which strongly features the percussion section, was written by Jingxin Xu.

Small Town

Shu-Chee Wong

Lai-Wan Leung

Parsifal, Act I: Prelude Richard Wagner

Concordia Symphony Orchestra

Danielle Lisboa, conductor

The Yellow River Piano Concerto Wanghua Chu

Chengzong Yin

Fei-Sheng Xu

Li Hong Sheng

Shucheng Shi/ Zhuang Liu

I. Prelude: The Song of the Yellow River Boatmen

II. Ode to the Yellow River

III. The Yellow River in Wrath

IV. Defend the Yellow River

Concordia Symphony Orchestra & BC Chinese Music Ensemble

Danielle Lisboa, conductor

Stephanie Kwan, piano

the dizi gradually join the entire orchestra, repeating the same phrases, leading the audience into childhood memories. After the allegro, the dizi leads the way, playing the second theme melody, using the spiccato of the erhu, the twisted strings of the pipa, and the bass and snare drum to simulate the scene of receiving scout training as a child. The music winds down to a soft sleepful state at its conclusion.

The Yellow River Piano Concerto

This piano concerto is based on the famous “Yellow River” Cantata (1934) by Xing-hai Xian. The arrangement for piano was a group effort by six composers (Wanghua Chu, Zhuang Liu, Hong Li, Shucheng Sheng, Fei-sheng Shi, and Chengzong Yin) with Yin leading the group. This arrangement was completed in 1970. Today’s performance will feature the world premier of an arrangement of this piano concerto for Western and Chinese orchestra by Mark Armanini. This work is a special commission for the Bamboo and Maple Festival.

Overture for the Worlds

This piece was commissioned for the opening ceremonies for the 2001 World Athletic Games. It has all the hallmarks of a ceremonial fanfare, layering in the rest of the orchestra, including prominent percussion, to pay tribute to all nations. During the time of this commission, Gilliland was the Composer in Residence with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1999 to 2004), and is currently Head of Composition at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton.

Both Small Town and Memory of Childhood were composed by Leung-fai Lo. Lo is a Fujianese Chinese composer who was born in Indonesia and had a vibrant composing career with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra from 1977 to 1986 and after that period continued his acclaimed career in Taiwan.

Small Town is a work that expresses the simplicity and optimism of the folk in a small town setting. It features lively and brisk rhythms. The Adagio is developed using music materials from a Taiwanese folksong called, “The Melody of Memory,” showing the new look and beautiful scenery of the town.

Memory of Childhood

Memory of Childhood is an ensemble piece for the Chinese Orchestra commissioned by Lianghui Lu in 1991 by the Cultural Construction Committee of the Taiwanese Executive Yuan. The theme of this piece begins with a simple and sweet melody, expressing the joyful scenes and innocent sentiments of childhood. The repeated featuring of various Chinese instruments creates an excellent orchestral texture. There are two themes in the whole piece, which are presented in the form of A-B-A. At the beginning, the glockenspiel used a simple melody to begin the prelude to memories. Following this, the triangle, the pizzicato of the pluck instrument, and

Orient et occident

Originally written for a military band for a 1869 gala evening featuring an exhibition of oriental art, the piece contrasts the East (orient) with the West (occident). It opens with a march moving to the middle section which is inspired by North African and Middle Eastern Moorish rhythms, then finally returns to the original march theme in a short fugue mixing in the previous ‘oriental’ musical materials to accelerate to a satisfying end. Saint-Saëns reworked the piece a year later for orchestra.

Parsifal - Prelude to Act I

Finished in 1882, Wagner’s opera tells the story of Parsifal’s quest to discover the Holy Grail. The Overture’s first musical phrase contains several themes (Leitmotifs) to represent key elements such as redemption, guilt and a spear which recur throughout the opera. The overture is divided into three sections with the orchestration setting the mood of contemplation and religious passion.

Program notes by Hubert Hsu, Gloria Wong, and Jennifer Gregory.

The Conductors

Danielle Lisboa, Conductor

Brazilian-Canadian Danielle Lisboa leads an active career as an orchestral conductor, music educator and scholar, regularly conducting community and professional ensembles. Lisboa holds a doctorate in orchestral conducting from the Eastman School of Music University of Rochester. On arriving in Canada, she became Orchestra Toronto’s first apprentice conductor, was named assistant conductor two months later and shortly after was appointed the orchestra’s music director and conductor. During her tenure, Lisboa became known for her cutting-edge programming and public engagement. Her vision and dynamic leadership took Orchestra Toronto into new paths for outreach and youth initiatives, including the Marta Hidy Concerto Competition and the popular annual children’s concerts. Two years later she led Bellus Barbari, the Toronto Women’s Symphony Orchestra, in its inaugural Ontario tour.

Lisboa currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Concordia University of Edmonton in the areas of conducting and music theory. Lisboa is former music director and co-founder of the Edmonton Metropolitan Orchestra and continues to maintain an active presence in the community with the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra in outreach concerts to local continuing care hospitals and schools.

Her current research interests encompass topics of women and leadership on the orchestral podium and analysis and transcription of sacred rituals of native peoples of Brazil with recent partnerships and publications in Portugal and Brazil. Lisboa reinstated the Concordia Symphony Orchestra as a new ensemble in fall of 2017. She spearheaded Concordia’s first operatic project, developed a summer string camp for youth, and a provincial concerto competition. Most recently, she led the Orchestral Training and Leadership workshop to mentor young conductors and orchestral players into leadership roles. Recent speaking engagements included a presentation on the status of the Maestra in today’s podium at the International Conductors Guild Conference in Valencia, Spain in January 2023.

Jason Wong, Conductor

Born in Hong Kong, Jason learned violin and Erhu at his young age and later he majored in Cello. Jason actively participated in many Hong Kong Chinese Orchestras. He became member as a Gehu (Cello) player of the “Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra” in 1980 and “Hong Kong Music Lovers Chinese Orchestra” in 1981. He toured over the world in many countries with orchestras. He participated in the Laser Disks production for the “Hong Kong Music Lovers Orchestra.”

In 1990, he formed the “Hong Kong Juvenile and Youth Chinese Classical Orchestra” together with Ng Chiu Shing, Chan Yat Ping and Lai Siu Ming. He worked with co-founder diligently to promote Chinese Music to the youth in Hong Kong.

He assisted to establish the “Edmonton Chinese Philarmonica Association” in 2001 and currently he is the Music Direc-

tor and Conductor of “Edmonton Chinese Philarmonica Association”. He had organized and participated in many major concerts such as: in 2008, Jason with ECPA members participated in “Hong Kong International Festival of Chinese Orchestras”. Organized and conducted the “1st Edmonton Chinese Music Festival” in 2010 and “The Music Carries On” concert for celebrating ECPA 10th Anniversary in 2011. Jason led ECPA members to attend the celebration of sixtieth Anniversary of “Shanghai Chinese Orchestra” in Shanghai, China in 2012. In 2014, he organized and conducted the “2nd Edmonton Chinese Music Festival”. Organized and conducted a jointed concert of “Sounds of a Thousand Maples” & “Intriguing Melodies” with orchestras from Taiwan in 2015 and 2016. In 2019, organized and conducted the “3rd Edmonton Chinese Music Festival” with the orchestras from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.

Peggy Hua, Conductor

Peggy Hua is a conductor and music educator based in Vancouver, Canada. Drawing inspiration from their Taiwanese heritage and connections to Chinese culture, Peggy is a strong supporter of Vancouver’s diverse music scene. Peggy is currently appointed as the Artistic Director of the BC Chinese Orchestra and Downton Singers, Choral Director of St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, Resident Conductor of BC Chinese Music Ensemble and Left Coast Labour Chorus. In 2014, Peggy directed Cor Flammae as the inaugural guest conductor and is currently the associate conductor of the choir. Since 2016, Peggy has been a guest conductor of the Vancouver

Inter-Cultural Orchestra (VICO). Peggy has previously served as sessional faculty in choral conducting at the University of British Columbia (UBC) School of Music.

Peggy received their graduate degree in choral conducting from University of British Columbia under the tutelage of Dr. Graeme Langager. Peggy has also studied conducting under Lars Kaario, Maestro Dwight Bennett, and Maestro Vance George. Peggy has served on numerous boards in Vancouver, namely the Vancouver Women’s Musical Society, and was recently appointed as board director of the Pride in Art Society (PiA).

The Soloists

Stephanie Kwan, Piano

Stephanie Kwan holds a Master of Music Degree from the University of Ottawa, Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Alberta, and the Associate Royal Conservatory of Toronto Diploma in Piano Performance. Her interest in exploring different combinations of instruments, also most recently with multi-media, has resulted in a diverse range of performances in Italy and Canada, including with larger, ethnic musical groups such as the B.C. Chinese Orchestra. For many years, she has organized concert initiatives for several Rotary Clubs across Canada. In 2007 she was awarded the Rotary Ottawa-West Plaque for her dedication. In addition to her diverse collaborative and performing experiences, she is also active as a teacher and one of the founders and President of the Art of Sounds Music Association in Italy. Stephanie has appeared on Edmonton CityTV, CKUA Radio, Panorama Italiano, and Lombardi Oggi Magazine. Ms. Kwan’s most recent performances include the Symphony of Sorrowful Songs at Festival Place, Canada 150th Birthday Multicultural Performance at Winspear Centre and the piano-duo concert, Dancing Between the Planets at Festival Place.

Shu-chee Wong, Guqin

Mr. Shu-chee Wong started his guqin journey in 1976, in Hong Kong, With more than 4 decades of experience, Mr. Wong is not only an expert in teaching and performing the instrument, but also an academic researcher of the qin, an professional craftsman of making silk strings for qin , and an important contributor in editing and publishing series of classical and contemporary qin books. in 1995, Wong, Shu-chee has been the appointed qin instructor for the ethnomusicology department in UBC School of Music, a lecturer for cultural classes on qin at the Vancouver School Board, an organizer for BCCMA for a qin exhibition at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver

Mr. Wong has spent more than 2 decades in his research on the lost art of making traditional silk strings for qin and in the restoration of their authenticated usage in performance practice. The Taigu silkstings constructed by Mr. Wong is mutually regarded as the best silk strings among the prestige qin communities worldwide,

Lai-wan Leung, Guqin

Ms. Lai-wan Leung started learning qin in 1975, in Hong Kong, studying with various renowned masters such as Mr. Sai-bun Cheung, Ms Fang-hui Xie, Ms. The-yun Tsar, then Mr. Yao, Bing-yan in Shanghai, Mr. Di Wang and Mr. Wu, Jin-lue in Beijing. Over the years, Ms. Leung has participated in various scholar meetings and seminars dedicated to the research of qin giving lectures, releasing academic papers, as well as performing. Ms. Leung has been an instructor of qin society of New Asia Institute of Advanced Chinese Studies. Ms. Lai-wan Leung is an active contributor and organizer for Mr. Wong Shu-chee’s qin activities, projects and publications.

Production & Committee

Chairman Henry Fung

Project Director/Festival Producer Hubert Hsu

Festival Co-producer Xinxin Fang

Artistic Directors

Conductors

Featured Composers

CSO Orchestra Manager/Flute

Sharon Zhang

Danielle Lisboa

Danielle Lisboa

Peggy Hua

Jason Wong

Allan Gilliland, Mark Armanini

Rock Larochelle

CSO Marketing Assistant Aaron Addorisio

BCCMA Administrators Gloria Wong, Amber

Chen, Yen-Yu Lai

Master of Ceremony Jessica Ng

Stage Manager Tian Ip

Stage Crew William Lau

Marketing Ed Lam Xinxin Fang

Karl Miu

Xinxin Fang

Public Relations

Barbara Fung

Eva Lam

Ticket Coordinator Ed Lam

Videography Lewis Cheung

Edmonton Chinese TV

Accommodation Hospitality Ed Lam

Welcome Banquet Ed Lam

Volunteer Coordinator Henry Fung

Community Liaison Ed Lam

Henry Fung

Thank You To All Our Supporters! 向全体工作人员和志愿者表示诚挚谢意！

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 衷诚鸣谢 Acknowledgements 衷诚鸣谢

and future performances, concordia.ab.ca/cso

Thank you For attending!

For information about the Concordia Symphony Orchestra and future performances, visit concordia.ab.ca/cso

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CSO in support of our mandate to diversity in programming and youth leadership development programs. We commit to performing the work of living Canadian composers and underrepresented minorities and to promote talented local musicians and community groups in guest artist performances. The CSO concert experience is a reflection of Edmonton’s ethnic diversity. We are proud to champion promising Albertan virtuosi with a provincial level competition: The Concordia Concerto Competition for Youth. To donate, please visit CUE website ONLINE DONATION or contact Jelena Bojic at jelena.bojic@concordia.ab.ca

Would you like to receive information about our upcoming concerts?

Please add your email to our mailing list: CSO MAILING LIST