#ClassicsaDay #APAHM Week 3

May is designated Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The Classics a Day team adopted that theme as well. For the month of May, the challenge is to post examples of classical music composed or performed by artists who share that heritage.

I limited myself to just posting Asian-American composers. And discovered a seemingly limitless number of composers to choose from -- both past and present.

Here are my picks for the first week of #ClassicsaDay #APAHM

05/17/21 Bun-Ching Lam - Like Water

This Chinese-American composer, conductor, and pianist divides her time between Paris and New York. Her music combines Asian traditions with Western contemporary techniques.

05/18/21 Chan ka Nin - Celebration of Life and Death for Sheng and String Quartet

Chan emigrated from Hong Kong to Canada as a teenager. The Chinese sheng is a polyphonic wind instrument dating back to 1100 BC.

05/19/21 Xian Xinghai - Yellow River Concerto

Xian was one of the first Chinese composers to write in Western classical forms. This concerto is based on his 1939 Yellow River Cantata.

05/20/21 Vivian Fung - Concerto for two violins and string orchestra

Canadian composer Fung blends Western traditions with Asian music. She's particularly interested in Javanese gamelan music. She's currently an associate of the Canadian Music Centre.

05/21/21 Alice Ping Yee Ho (1960-)

Ho is a Canadian composer and pianist who has won multiple Juno Awards for her music. The Four Seasons Ballade is based on poems by Li Bai, who served the Tang Dynasty in the 8th Century.