The Cornell Center for Historical Keyboards presents “Chao Yuen-Ren’s Art of Songs,” a concert-symposium-exhibit that explores the musical legacy of the pioneering Chinese-American polymath and Cornell alumnus (class of 1914). Through performances, scholarly discussions, and an online exhibition, this two-day event celebrates Chao’s groundbreaking contributions to modern Chinese art music.

Central to the event is Chao’s innovative “Chinese lieder” (1922-1927), a song collection that represents a bold experiment in merging Chinese and Western musical traditions and a creative use of music as a vehicle for reforming the Chinese language.

Friday evening’s concert will bring Chao’s experimental compositions to life, alongside works by his compatriot contemporaries—Chinese composers who were also studying in the U.S. at the time—and select European lieder that inspired him. The concert will feature guest artist Stephen Ng alongside Cornell students and faculty, including Rachel Cheang, Vera Hsu, Roger Moseley, Yen-Hsiang Nieh, Morton Wan, and Cici Zhou.

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https://as.cornell.edu/news/events-celebrate-chinese-composer-who-also-transformed-language