Tzu Chi 60th Anniversary Concert

Under One Sky brings together an extraordinary group of musicians whose practices are rooted in the diverse musical traditions of Asia and beyond, and who have long collaborated through the Silk Road Ensemble founded by Yo-Yo Ma. Through a rich dialogue of instruments—including tabla, pipa, cello, taiko, guqin, sitar, and sarangi—the performance weaves together distinct sonic lineages into a shared musical language. Moving between composition and improvisation, the concert explores resonance across cultures, histories, and expressive forms.

Part I

Aspiration 心願 

Pipa, YANG Jin

Erhu, Cathy Yang

Zheng,  XIA Jing

Piano, WANG Lu

Percussion, WU Wei

Guitar, HU Bin

Double Bass, YAO Xitong

Riffs and Flow – An Intercultural Interpretation of Ancient Pipa Manuscripts

for pipa, erhu, guzheng, guitar, piano and percussion                              by WANG Lu

Pipa, YANG Jin

Erhu, Cathy Yang

Zheng, XIA Jing

Piano, WANG Lu

Percussion, WU Wei

The Drunken Concubine 貴妃醉酒– Peking Opera

A classic work of Peking Opera, reflecting the aesthetic and emotional expression of the Tang dynasty court culture.

Pipa, YANG Jin

Erhu, Cathy Yang

Zheng, XIA Jing

Peking Opera vocals, JIA Yonghong

Siddhaṃ Resonance 悉曇章 

Guqin, Shin-yi YANG

JUN 駿 –  by YAO Chen

The inspiration for this musical piece comes from the Standing Horse (a ceramic work exhibited in the Art Institute of Chicago, made in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-970 A.D.).  It is one of the most important artworks and cultural symbols of the historical Silk Road that interlinks trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass, connecting China, Central Asia, and the West.

Pipa, YANG Jin

Double Bass, YAO Xitong

Dun Huang 敦煌 – by JIANG Ying

Jiang Ying’s Dunhuang has long captivated audiences with its vivid atmosphere, dynamic rhythms, and evocative portrayal of Dunhuang’s rich cultural heritage.

Pipa, YANG Jin

Erhu, Cathy Yang

Zheng,  XIA Jing

Percussion, WU Wei

Guitar, HU Bin

Double Bass, YAO Xitong

Intermission: 15 minutes

Part II 

Bodhichitta ≡ Sunyata 

The Union of Method and Wisdom

In the Mahayana tradition, we often speak of the “Two Wings” of a bird: Compassion and Wisdom. We frequently perceive these as separate stages—starting with the aspiration of the heart and ending with the realization of the void.

The second half of this evening’s musical presentation created by Sandeep Das, challenges that distance. By utilizing the symbol ≡ (Identical To), this suite explores the non dual reality where the “Spark of the Heart” (Bodhicitta) and the “Luminous Emptiness” (Sunyata) are revealed to be the same vibration.

The music serves as an auditory contemplation on the Heart Sutra. It is designed to guide the listener through the shifting landscape of form, effort, and stillness, ultimately inviting the Sangha ( tonight’s audience) to experience sound not as a distraction from the Path, but as the very resonance of Suchness (Tathatā).

The symbol ≡ (Identical To) represents the non-dual realization that Bodhichitta (the compassionate spark) and Sunyata (the ultimate nature of emptiness) are not separate stages of a journey, but a single, unified truth. Just as a wave is not separate from the ocean, the individual heart is not separate from the infinite void.

“May this sound reach every corner of the universe to allay the suffering of all beings.” 

* Individual pieces in the Suite might be announced from stage

Tabla, Sandeep Das

Sitar, Abhik Mukherjee

Taiko / Fue, Kaoru Watanab

Bass, Matt Small

Percussion, Shane Shanahan

Percussion, Bailey O’Donnell

Special Thanks

We extend our sincere gratitude to Sandeep Das and Friends and the Chinese Musicians Association of North America for their generous support and inspiring artistic collaboration.

*This event requires advance registration.