Earthing: A Dialog On The Edge Of Sane

Join us for a transformative concert experience centered on "Earthing," featuring distinguished violinist William Wei, Queen Elizabeth Laureate, and acclaimed pianist Evan Wong, Silver Medalist of the Sendai Competition. This unique program explores the profound connections between music and well-being, showcasing the resilience and creativity composers have brought to life through challenging times. With works by Toru Takemitsu, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Shiuan Chang, the evening will take audiences on a journey through music to respond to adversity, revealing how art can uplift and ground us in times of struggle.

William Wei | violin
Evan Wong | piano

Toru Takemitsu Elegy

Shostakovich Violin Sonata op.134

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Shiuan Chang Songs of Dunren
I. One More Good Day
II. Cantabile Andante
III. To the Solitary Wanderer
IV. Farewell
VII. Theater on the BEDs

Laureate of the prestigious 2015 Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition, Taiwanese violinist William Wei is quickly building an international solo career. With inherent musicality, liberated virtuosity, refined sensibility, and shimmering dynamism, he has been expressing his unique voice to the world. Westdeutsche Zeitung described William as “proved to be a virtuoso but a special and sensitive interpreter at the same time;” Wei has collaborated as a soloist with leading conductors and orchestras such as Belgium National Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Taipei Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Eliahu Inbal, Gilbert Varga, Marin Alsop, Gil Shaham, Nai-Yuan Hu, Cho-Liang Lin, Ray Chen, Pei-Yao Wang, Vikingur Ólafsson and Jörg Widmann. William plays on a Stradivari, 1722 ex “Joachim-Elman,” kindly loaned to him by the Chimei Foundation in Taiwan.

Silver medalist of the 6th Sendai International Competition in Japan, Taiwanese American pianist Evan Wong has performed in recitals and concerts throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He has also performed as a soloist with orchestras, including the Sendai Philharmonic, Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, and National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, and released his first solo album under the Acousence Label in Germany in 2020. Mr. Wong holds degrees from the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Northwestern University, The Juilliard School, and the New England Conservatory. Mr. Wong serves on the Taipei National University of the Arts faculty.

Host or Publisher Shiuan Chang