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WQXR Presents “Heritage and Harmony”

A Virtual Concert Featuring Leading Musicians of Asian Descent Performing Modern and Traditional Works by Asian Composers

Available online starting Thursday, May 28 on WQXR.org

(NEW YORK — May 26, 2020) — May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and WQXR is celebrating with “Heritage and Harmony,” an online concert featuring a number of leading musicians of Asian descent performing works by noted composers of Asian backgrounds, as well as traditional Asian music. 

This collection of videos will begin with each musician offering reflections on their heritage and their connection to the composer and the piece they’ve chosen to play, followed by a performance of the selected piece. Three of the composers featured in the concert — Conrad Tao, Andrew Cheung and Christopher Tin — also share their perspective on music and cultural identity in separate videos. 

“Heritage and Harmony,” will be available for viewing on a dedicated WQXR web page starting Thursday, May 28. 

“I don’t think there’s even been a concert quite like this,” said classical pianist Donna Weng Friedman, who created the event in collaboration with media partner WQXR. “This concert is a chance to bring people together through the unifying power of music, ranging from traditional pieces to compelling contemporary compositions, all performed by an amazing group of artists.” 

“We at WQXR share a vision of a more inclusive and equitable future for classical music,” said Matt Abramovitz, Vice President, WQXR. “Projects like ‘Heritage & Harmony’ offer a window into a vibrant, diverse classical music scene, which is even more urgent in times like these.” 

The artists participating in “Heritage and Harmony” are: 

  • Christopher Tin, two-time Grammy award-winning composer 
  • Yoobin Son, flutist with the New York Philharmonic 
  • Conrad Tao, world-renowned pianist/composer 
  • Stefan Jackiw, internationally recognized violinist 
  • Jon Kimura Parker, award-winning pianist 
  • Mariko Anraku, harpist with the Metropolitan Orchestra 
  • Yunah Lee, acclaimed lyric soprano
  • Soo Bae, noted cellist
  • Miranda Cuckson, superstar violinist 
  • Anthony Cheung, composer and artistic director of the Talea Ensemble 
  • Donna Weng Friedman, pianist and co-founder of the Her Music/Her Story performance series

The concert will be available on the WQXR website at www.wqxr.org/story/heritage-harmony.

ABOUT WQXR
WQXR is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life on-air at 105.9FM, online at WQXR.org and in the real world via live events and broadcasts. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall and the New York Philharmonic, and broadcasts essential destination programs including New York Philharmonic This Week and Young Artists Showcase. WQXR is also the co-producer—along with the Metropolitan Opera—of the critically-acclaimed podcast Aria Code, hailed by The New Yorker as “illuminating …accessible…immediately pleasurable.” As a public radio station, WQXR is supported through the generosity of its members, donors and sponsors, making classical music relevant, accessible and inspiring for all.

ABOUT DONNA WENG FRIEDMAN
Award-winning pianist Donna Weng Friedman enjoys a varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, curator, music supervisor and app developer. With Allison Charney, she is the co-creator/co-host of HER/MUSIC;HER/STORY, a mini-series on WQXR as well as a concert series that shines a spotlight on women composers, past and present. She is the curator of the Donna Weng Friedman ’80 Masterclass Series at Princeton University as well as the creator of Music Bee Club interactive classical music apps for children. Ms. Weng Friedman created Heritage and Harmony to spotlight the stories and music of classical musicians of Asian descent and is proud to partner with WQXR in this virtual event. She is grateful to the extraordinary musicians featured in this concert for their participation and to Lukas Krohn-Grimberghe and Justin Sergi, WQXR’s amazing digital team, for their technical expertise and artistic support.