May is Asian Heritage Month—a time to celebrate the rich cultural contributions of Asian communities across Canada and beyond. In honour of this occasion, Classic 107 will spotlight works by prominent Asian composers during the 1 PM hour from May 12 to 16. This special programming offers listeners a chance to experience the diverse musical voices that have shaped classical music across Asia.
Featured Composers and Works
May 12 – Peixun Chen: Fantasia on Cantonese Folk Themes
Peixun Chen (also known as Chan Pui-fang) was a Chinese composer renowned for integrating traditional Chinese melodies into Western classical forms. His Fantasia on Cantonese Folk Themes is a vibrant orchestral suite that reimagines beloved Cantonese folk tunes, blending Eastern musical idioms with Western symphonic textures. This performance features the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, with On-Yuen Wong on erhu and Yip Wing Sie conducting.
May 13 – Du Mingxin: Piano Concerto “Spirit of Spring”
Du Mingxin, born in 1928, is a distinguished Chinese composer known for his ballets, concertos, and symphonic works. He studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory before returning to China, where he became a prominent figure in contemporary Chinese music. His Piano Concerto “Spirit of Spring” captures the rejuvenating essence of spring through lyrical melodies and dynamic orchestration. This rendition features pianist Jenő Jandó with the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Zuohuang Chen.
May 14 – Takashi Yoshimatsu: Symphony No. 4
Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu, born in 1953, is celebrated for his unique blend of classical, jazz, and rock influences. Initially an engineering student, he shifted to music, studying under Teizo Matsumura before pursuing a self-taught path. His Symphony No. 4 exemplifies his "neo-romantic" style, characterized by lush harmonies and a fusion of Western and Eastern musical elements. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra performs this piece under the baton of Sachio Fujioka.
May 15 – He Zhanhao and Chen Gang: Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto
Composed in 1959 by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang while they were students at the Shanghai Conservatory, the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto is one of China's most beloved orchestral works. It retells the tragic legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, often likened to "Romeo and Juliet," through a synthesis of Western symphonic structure and Chinese melodic themes. This performance features violinist Takako Nishizaki with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Cheng Wu Fan.
May 16 – Du Mingxin: Violin Concerto
Du Mingxin's Violin Concerto, composed in 1982, showcases his adeptness at blending Chinese musical aesthetics with Western classical forms. The concerto is noted for its expressive melodies and incorporation of traditional Chinese motifs. Violinist Takako Nishizaki performs this piece with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Kenneth Jean.
Tune in to Classic 107a t 1 PM each day from May 12 to 16 to experience these remarkable compositions that celebrate the depth and diversity of Asian classical music. This curated selection offers a window into the rich tapestry of cultural expression that Asian composers have contributed to the global music landscape.