“Melody of China performs the history, lore and myth of China in song. A truly innovative and dazzling extravaganza!” San Francisco Chronicle
About Melody of China
Melody of China (MoC) is a San Francisco-based Chinese chamber ensemble. Begun in 1993 by a group of enthusiastic musicians from Mainland China, MoC’s mission is two-fold: “to provide rich musical entertainment through the synergy of ancient Chinese tradition with youthful, diverse American culture; and to promote classical and modern Chinese music.” Their dedication to taking on new works by contemporary composers in addition to traditional material is what makes them a leading Chinese music ensemble. The organization’s co-founders, Hong Wang and Yangqin Zhao, have succeeded in bringing Chinese instruments out of obscurity and into the mainstream of Bay Area culture.
Melody of China instrumentations is comprised of Chinese traditional instruments including: yangqin (hammered dulcimer), guzheng (zither), erhu (two-stringed fiddle), pipa (lute), sheng (mouth organ), dizi (bamboo flute), Chinese percussion and other instruments. Melody of China artists include MoC Chair and Executive/Artistic Director Yangqin Zhao on yangqin, Gangqin Zhao on guzheng, Thomas Lee on erhu, Shenshen Zhang on pipa, Wanpeng Guo on sheng and Xian Lu on dizi. MoC artists often double on other instruments including Chinese wind instruments (in addition to dizi) and percussion.
Described as “Innovative and Dazzling” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Melody of China performances have broken barriers in combining traditional Chinese music with contemporary works by the influential composers of Kui Dong, Gang Situ and Yuanlin Chen. Since 1993, MoC has commissioned and premiered over 40 new works by 20 contemporary composers across numerous Bay Area venues including Davies Symphony Hall, Herbst Theatre, Old First Church, UC San Francisco, University of San Francisco, among others. Although keeping one foot firmly planted in tradition, MoC has led many innovative and experimental projects, such as the concerts featuring Songs from Mongolia and the Young Composers Series, where young Bay Area composers are asked to compose music for Chinese instruments.
Melody of China has been guest artists with the Berlin Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony. MoC has appeared in concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center and The Juilliard School, and has performed in major U.S. cities on numerous occasions, including the Chicago World Music Festival, the Lotus Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival. MoC has performed with jazz ensembles including Francis Wong’s Asian Improv arts and Anthony Brown’s Asian-American Jazz Orchestra. Being strongly tied to the local San Francisco Bay Area arts community, MoC has also collaborated with several dance groups, including Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet and the Oakland Ballet.
In 2009, MoC partnered with Lily Cai Dance to premiere a new dance/music work at the Henry Cowell Theatre. In 2010, MoC collaborated with saxophonist Francis Wong to premiere Shanghai Story for Chinese instruments and jazz quartet. MoC commissioned Sohn for Qin and Chinese chamber ensemble by composer Gang Situ in 2011. In 2012, MoC premiered Along the River During the Qingming Festival by composer Joan Huang with the Earplay Ensemble at the San Francisco International Arts Festival in 2012. Melody of China celebrated 20 years in 2013 with a concert featuring guest artists: erhu virtuoso Jiebing Chen and jazz pioneers Francis Wong, Jon Jang, Marcus Shelby and Deszon Claiborne.
Our Education Partners:
In addition to performances, Melody of China is deeply committed to arts education and leads numerous classes and workshops for all ages geared toward a greater appreciation for the beauty and versatility of Chinese instruments. MoC has contracted with San Francisco Symphony’s Adventures in Music Program (AIM) and Young Audiences for many consecutive years. In addition, MoC’s tuition-free after school program funded by the California Arts Council, offers children to learn to play a Chinese instrument of their choice, and has been a huge success at Sunset Elementary School.
Our Season Artists
Yangqin Zhao
Executive and Artistic Director
info@melodyofchina.org
(415) 215-7581
Mailing Address:
Yangqin Zhao
450A 2nd Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
© Melody of China 2022