Many Voices Meet at WIYAMS’ “MOSAIC” Concert in Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington International Young Artists Music Series brought a broad mix of instruments, repertoire, and artistic backgrounds to National United Methodist Church on Sept. 13 with MOSAIC, a concert whose title reflected the variety heard throughout the program. Presented by the International Art Development and Promotion Association, the concert brought together pianists, string players, clarinetists, percussionists, and chamber musicians from across the United States. The program moved from J. S. Bach and Franz Liszt to André Messager, William Walton, Guillaume Connesson, and Casey Cangelosi. Among the performers were six WIYAMS Artists whose contrasting roles reflected the program’s range: pianists Bella Xiangcao Shi and Ruoyang Xiang, clarinetist Li-Jie Yu, violist Chang-Ping Gu, and percussionists David Chungin Lee and Ruyun Irene Yang. Several appeared in more than one setting, creating connections between the concert’s solo and chamber performances. “We wanted the program to feel varied,” said Dr. Jinwei Zhang, Co-founder and artistic director of WIYAMS. “These artists come from different places and work in different areas of music. What connects them is the seriousness and individuality they bring to the stage.” Chinese pianist Bella Xiangcao Shi brought the Romantic piano tradition into the program with Liszt’s Transcendental Étude No.
