On April 9th, 2023, the prestigious Steinway Hall was abuzz with excitement as talented pianist Dr. Xingye Cai's students took to the stage for an unforgettable recital. The young performers, many of whom have already participated in professional music competitions, showcased their exceptional skills and rich stage experience.
The meticulously selected program featured classical masterpieces, such as Schumann's "Traumerei" and Beethoven's "Für Elise," complemented by opera and ballet excerpts, including "Toreador Song," "Four Little Swans," and "Peter and the Wolf." The audience was captivated by stunning interpretations of beloved Chinese folk songs, such as "Yellow River," "Merry Shepherd Boy," and "Liuyang River." Dr. Cai concluded the recital with a heartfelt performance of "My Motherland," sharing the beauty of music with her students.
"My Motherland," originally titled "A Great River," was composed in 1956 by Liu Chi with lyrics by Qiao Yu and originally sung by Guo Lanying. With its beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics, this song has been passed down and celebrated for over 60 years. The piano version of "My Motherland" was adapted by Shenyang Conservatory of Music piano professors Jiang Hong and Yin Deben. This successful adaptation is characterized by the development of variations on the original melody, enriching the piece's meaning and evoking deep emotions that resonate with listeners.
Before performing this piece, Dr. Cai acknowledged the parents of her students who had traveled from various regions of China to the United States, emphasizing the serendipity of their teacher-student relationships. Her performance was met with enthusiastic applause from the audience, who praised Dr. Cai's clear structure and emotional expression. The main theme conveyed tenderness and deep emotion, while the first variation, accompanied by broken chords in the left hand, revealed the expansive and leisurely nature of "A Great River." The second variation, with the left hand playing the theme, expressed even greater emotion, vividly portraying the beauty of the landscape. The passionate and powerful performances of the third and fourth variations showcased Dr. Cai's solid technique and deep understanding of the music, ultimately bringing the piece to a thrilling climax.
Dr. Xingye Cai, a Louisiana State University graduate, earned her doctorate in piano performance with a minor in collaborative piano in 2021. She also holds an Artist Diploma from the City University of New York. Throughout her academic career, she worked as an assistant teacher and collaborative pianist, supporting the opera workshop, American art song class, and brass department.
Cai's remarkable achievements include successful solo concerts at renowned venues like Ludwig Recital Hall, Lincoln Park Performing Arts, and Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts. Her performances have encompassed lectures, solos, chamber music, and concertos. Additionally, Dr. Cai has shared the stage with renowned pianists Lang Lang and Shikun Liu at the Shenyang Manufacturing Exhibition and has been invited to perform at the iconic Carnegie Hall.
An esteemed figure in the music industry, Dr. Cai has served as a judge for various music competitions, such as the Apex International Music Competition and the Starbright Youth Talent Competition in New York. Her academic contributions include dissertations like "Analysis of Zhang Chao's piano piece 'Pi Huang'", "A Moment of Peking Opera", "Analysis and Thoughts on Chopin's Ballade", and "The Adventure of Piano Elementary Education", published in professional journals in 2022 and 2023.
Dr. Cai's own accolades are equally impressive, with wins at international competitions including the first prize at the 3rd Russian Avis International Music Competition, the gold medal for Best Classical Musician in the UK, the second prize at the Bach International Music Competition, and the Gold Award at the Lanna International Music Festival Competition, to name a few.
The Steinway Hall recital, a testament to Dr. Xingye Cai's dedication to her students and the art of piano, was an incredible display of musical excellence that will no doubt inspire future generations of musicians.
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