Experience an enchanting evening as the Berklee Global String Ensemble, accompanied by distinguished guest artists, takes center stage. This concert serves as a captivating showcase of selected pieces and original compositions from Hui Weng’s project, Resonance of Rivers generously supported by the Berklee Faculty Fellowship.

Resonance of Rivers immerses audiences in the rich musical tapestry of river cultures worldwide, celebrating their diversity and beauty through original compositions. Drawing inspiration from five iconic rivers – the Ganges, the Rhine, the Euphrates, the Yarlung Tsangpo, and the Yangtze – this journey deepens our appreciation for the intricate relationship between music and culture.

Immerse yourself in a healing musical interlude and preview interactive experiences with new media during the concert. Experience the therapeutic power of music and engage with cutting-edge technology as we explore the boundaries of musical expression.

Through meticulous research, collaborative endeavors, and creative exploration, we transcend boundaries to foster meaningful dialogue. Engaging musicians from diverse backgrounds, we craft compositions that seamlessly blend traditional melodies with the essence of each river’s cultural heritage.

Join us on a musical journey, offering a unique and immersive experience that reflects the vibrant tapestry of our world music.

Berklee Global String Ensemble:

Led by Prof. Hui Weng, this ensemble presents a captivating fusion of Chinese music, world music, and contemporary improvisation. Through original compositions that blend diverse musical traditions, including Chinese elements, world styles, and Western classical and contemporary influences, the ensemble promises a dynamic and innovative recital experience and hands-on projects, both on-off campus, each semester.

Prof. Hui Weng

Berklee College of Music

Hui Weng, an Associate Professor at Berklee, is a virtuoso deeply entrenched in ancient Chinese traditions, fearlessly transcending musical boundaries that few dare to approach. With her mastery of traditional, contemporary, and improvised on Guzheng, she has garnered international acclaim, establishing herself as a preeminent figure in the global music scene.

Her exceptional talent has garnered her numerous accolades, including gold medals, distinctions like the “Jin Zhong Award,” “National Rising Star,” and “Oriental Artist,” and recognition in major national and international competitions. She has also been honored with the prestigious “Musical Independent Award” and “Emerging Artists Award” fellowship, recognizing her pioneering efforts in expanding Guzheng performance to encompass singing, dancing, and her contributions to composing and curating new works.

As an educator, Ms. Weng is a trailblazer, opening doors to performance in Chinese traditional instruments, The Music of China, and the Global Music Ensemble at Berklee and NEC. She is charting a new path for students who play non-classical instruments, contributing to the enrichment of Chinese culture within these renowned conservatories, and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the diverse and vibrant world of music. Additionally, Ms. Weng’s current project, “Rivers of Resonance,” supported by the Berklee Faculty Development Grant, exemplifies her commitment to pushing musical boundaries and exploring different cultures.

Members of the ensemble:

Pipa: Amber Sang

Guzheng: Leah Liu

Ruan: Elaine Zhang

Erhu: Esther Dong, William Xu

Violin: Gregory Pan

Cello: Thiago Wolf, Devin Connolly

Director: Hui Weng

Artist guests:

Piano: Jiayi Guo, Moyu Zhang

Percussion : Paul Joseph

Bass : Jan Portisch

Electronic Digital Instrument : Shutong Li

Program:

Chinese Folk Tune 中国民歌组曲《Go West》“走西口”

《Green Willow》“杨柳青”

《Firat Turkusu》(world premiere)  Composer: Utar Artun; Arranger: Hui Weng

《Nalati》

《Bingen, Lotus and Flight》

《Logos》（world premiere）

《Wusheng》 

《Yarlung Tsangpo》 “雅鲁藏布江” (World Premiere)

曲目单详情：

1, Chinese folk tune 中国民歌组曲 《Go West》 “走西口”—Global String Ensemble 

Xi Kou, situated along the banks of the Yellow River in northern China, stands as a poignant departure point for countless young individuals in pursuit of opportunity. The harsh realities of poverty, compounded by the challenging climate, often compel these hopeful souls to bid farewell to their homes and loved ones, embarking on a journey fraught with uncertainty. As time passes, the sorrowful farewells of Xi Kou become romanticized, weaving a tapestry of love and loss passed down through generations. Through melodies and lyrics, these bittersweet goodbyes are immortalized, capturing the genuine emotions of two hearts intertwined as they bid farewell by the water’s edge.

《Green Willow》 “杨柳青”

This is a lively Yangzhou （扬州） tune by the side of the Yangtze River. The lyrics of this tune are not fixed and often contain humorous, witty, and cheerful phrases. The music starts with two voices and gradually transitions into a full ensemble, with rhythmic percussion resembling folk percussion instruments, highlighting the cheerful atmosphere and playful character of the music.

2.《Firat Turkusu》(world premiere)  Composer: Utar Artun; Arranger: Hui Weng

Inspired by the Euphrates River, a vital waterway coursing through Turkey, this composition stands as a testament to the cultural and historical significance of this majestic river. Each note echoes the flowing waters and resonates with the tales of civilizations that have thrived along its banks for millennia. Through the enchanting melodies and rhythms, the music captures the essence of Turkish culture while inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the beauty and mystery of the Euphrates River basin. This musical journey prompts reflection on the interconnectedness of nature and culture, offering a profound appreciation for the river’s role in shaping Turkish identity and heritage.

3,  《Nalati》（healing part)   Composer: Chang Liu, Arranged by Amber Sang 

Nalati, known as the “Pasture in the Sky,” is a renowned grassland in Xinjiang, China. This composition by young composer Chang Liu, vividly portrays the breathtaking scenery of the grassland. Throughout the performance,  performers aim to create an interactive space where the audience can actively participate, enhancing the healing and therapeutic elements of the music, allowing everyone to immerse themselves fully in the experience.

4，《Bingen, Lotus and Flight》 Arranger:  Hui Weng

Commencing with the solemn and ancient melodies of the Rhine, it evokes a journey back to the Middle Ages. Gradually, the delicate strains of the traditional Chinese piece “Emerging Lotus” quietly emerge, imbuing the composition with the mystique of the East. These contrasting musical styles engage in a dialogue, intertwining and complementing each other, creating a musical tapestry that traverses time and space. As the piece unfolds, the inclusion of the Jazz Trio introduces a sense of freedom and improvisation, allowing for ample expression and guiding the audience into a wholly distinct musical realm.

​​5，《Logos》 （world premiere） Composer: Esther Dong

In ancient Greek, “logos” refers to reason, word, or principle. Philosophers like Heraclitus and later Stoics used it to describe the rational principle that governs and develops the universe. It is considered the force that structures the cosmos and gives it order and intelligibility. In Biblical theology, Logos is use to describe the divine word or wisdom of God.

6，《Wusheng》   Composer : Yunfei Wang

Drawing upon the rich tapestry of Peking Opera, this composition delves deeply into the stagecraft of martial role actors, particularly highlighting the intensity of combat scenes. Intricately mimicking the diverse percussion techniques inherent in traditional Chinese opera, it interweaves iconic melodies to vividly portray the essence of the martial role actor and their internal dialogue. Moreover, in a groundbreaking move, this performance integrates electronic music for the very first time. This fusion of tradition and cutting-edge technology offers audiences a novel auditory experience and pushing the boundaries .

7，《Yarlung Tsangpo》“雅鲁藏布江” ( world premiere )  Composer: Xinyan Li

Yarlung Tsangpo is a mixed ensemble work composed in 2024 for Chinese and Western instruments. It represents the magnificent and mysterious Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. Inspired by Tibetan folk music and culture, I employed the Tibetan Mountain Song and Wine Song in my work to create a pure, broad, and charming artistic world.

Amber (Xueqi) Sang  (Pipa):

Xueqi is studying music therapy in the Third semester of Berklee College of Music. Admitted to the Middle School Affiliated with the China Conservatory of Music at the age of 12 and studied under the famous pipa player Jing Yang. Won the silver medal winner of the “Dunhuang Cup” International Music Competition.

Leah Liu (Guzheng) :

Liu Xiaoying (Leah Liu), currently studying at the Berklee Music College, majoring in film scoring with a minor in music education. She has won numerous awards for her guzheng performances, including the Zhuque Cup first prize and the first-place silver award in the Qingyue Cup, among others. 

Elaine Zhang: (Ruan)

Wuyi Zhang, Ruan Performer, studying at Berklee College of Music. In 2017, she performed in the “Belt and Road” theme concert at Hangzhou Grand Theatre. Won the Gold Medal of Chinese instrumental Music at the 2018 and 2019 West Lake International Music Festival. In 2020, she held his first solo concert on the theme of “Chasing Dreams”. 

Esther Dong: (Erhu)

Major in Jazz Composition at Berklee. Winner at the DUNHUANG-NAFA Singapore International Erhu Competition, Gold Medalist at the 12th Hong Kong International Youth Arts Festival. Three-time recipient of the NEW PRAISE BEIJING SILVER PRIZE, winner of the 29th SeolBong Scholarship

Gregory Pan: (violin)

A native of Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a versatile musician known for his talents as a violinist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator. His compositions, characterized by their melodic focus and motivic structure, have been described by audiences as “catchy” and “memorable”. 

William Xu: (Erhu)

Second semester at Berklee College of music, Game and interactive Media scoring major.

Thiago Wolf  (Cello)

Cellist, engineer, and producer, Thiago Wolf was born in Mococa, São Paulo, Brazil. Bachelor in Music and Cello from the Federal University of Uberlândia and scholarship ambassador of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. Wolf pursues his second Bachelor degree in Performance and Music Production and Engineering at Berklee College of Music, from where he was awarded with the Robert Share scholarship and the Spring String Award, from the Performance Division.

Guest Artists:

Jiayi Guo: (Piano)

Jiayi Guo is an upcoming Hong Kong born jazz pianist, arranger, and composer. Guo currently attends the Berklee College of Music and is a part of the prestigious Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice. As bandleader Guo performs across the Boston area with her quartet, and has played and studied with distinguished artists such as George Garzone, Kris Davis.

Moyu Zhang (piano)

Moyu is a Chinese born musician, pianist and songwriter. She is currently studying contemporary music arts at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.She won first prize in the 2nd Improvisation Competition and the second prize in the Shanghai Open Piano Competition.

Paul July Joseph (Percussion)

Paul is currently studying at the New England Conservatory of Music. He has had various experiences in musical groups such as: Eli Honore, Safiya, Hankus Netsky,etc. With his project “Haitian Groove” he gave performances at the Jazz festival of Port-au-Prince, Panama Jazz Festival virtual Concert 2021. 

Devin Connolly  (Cello)

Devin Connolly is a Composer and Cellist at Berklee College of Music who was awarded the Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra. Award for Excellence in contribution to the ensemble. 

Jan Portisch: （Bass)
Jan Portisch is a genre-bending Acoustic and Electric Bass player from Germany. After beginning his musical journey in Rock/Metal and Classical Music he eventually found his calling in Jazz and improvised Music through his High School Big Band. After studying Electric and Acoustic Bass in Weimar and Cologne he now expands his musical understanding at Berklee College of Music on a Full Tuition Scholarship under the guidance of John Lockwood, John Patitucci and Edmar Colon.

Shutong Li (Electronic Digital Instrument)

An individual with a diverse skill set. Developing early as a skilled Erhu and Violin player, he later became an experienced music producer specializing in electronic dance music. Previously worked in the Kpop industry, and is now studying Video Game and interactive media scoring at Berklee College of Music.