Asia

Sarah Chang

That The Stradivari Society ® has had a growing impact on the classical music field in Asia can be seen in the many prestigious international awards and events that have honored both recipients and patrons.

The Society Builds a Musical Bridge between East and West

The Society's Beijing Debut Features Gil Shaham

June 1994 marked an auspicious beginning for the Society in China. Thanks to the sponsorship of Motorola, Inc., and the generosity of former recipient and violinist Gil Shaham, who performed gratis. The Stradivari Society® held its debut concert in Beijing. Shaham played to a standing room only crowd accompanied by Betty Haag's acclaimed Suzuki performing group from Chicago, The Magical Strings of Youth.

Founder Mary Galvin Receives Special Recognition from the Korean Government

Sejong Presents Debut Concert

Gil Shaham, renowned virtuoso and former Society recipient, takes center stage in Beijing with The Magical Strings of Youth, The Betty Haag Academy's premier Suzuki ensemble, at a concert co-sponsored by Motorola.

Society Founder Mary Galvin was presented with an award by the Korean government in 1994 recognizing her work to assist young musicians the world over and as an advocate for cultural exchange, helping to promote our most talented artists in Korea, Japan, and China. The award was presented by Ambassador Hyun Hong Lee at a ceremony held in at the Korean Consulate in New York City. The event was organized by Mrs. Taeja Lee, founder of the Korea Music Foundation. It was at the award ceremony that one of today's most distinguished chamber ensembles, Sejong, made their debut. Renowned professor of violin at The Juilliard School Hyo Kang serves as the artistic director.

The Society Presents Moon Festival Performances Featuring Siqing Lu

Geoffrey Fushi and Mary Galvin meet with President and Mrs. Jiang Zemin at Zhong Nan Hai, the Chinese "White House"

Siqing Lu, recipient of the "Wieniawski" Guarneri del Gesù of 1742, scored sold-out performances showcasing several great instruments in three landmark tours of China from 2001-2003. The highlight of the 2002 tour was a command performance at Zhong Nan Hai, the Chinese "White House" — a very special honor and career high point for Lu. Attending this momentous event were President Jiang Zemin, top government leaders; Lu's patron, Mary Galvin; and Geoffrey Fushi. The afternoon began with a lecture on the tonal qualities of great instruments by Geoffrey Fushi. Siqing Lu then performed with both the China Film Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chen Xieyang, and accompanist Huang Mengmeng. The program blended classics of East and West and was met with standing ovations. As special thanks for the Society's support of Siqing Lu through the years, President Jiang presented Mary Galvin and Geoffrey Fushi with beautifully illustrated volumes on Chinese painting from Shanghai.

Geoffrey Fushi Becomes Offical Advisor to the China National Symphony

The China National Symphony, official central orchestra of the Chinese government, named Geoffrey Fushi the Official Advisor to the orchestra in spring 2002. The appointment was in grateful recognition for Mr. Fushi's work as chairman of The Stradivari Society® and his advice on their new music director search, instrument acquisitions, and assistance in bringing top soloists to China to perform with the Orchestra.

Four Outstanding Chinese Artists Receive Loans of Rare Instruments at Gala Event in Chicago

Dignitaries and recipients at the Gala event, front: Recipient Yijia Susanne Hou, Consul General of China Jinzhong Xu, Geoffrey Fushi, Mary Galvin, Ling Li, Consul General of Canada Anne Charles, recipient Li-kuo Chang, recipient Chuanyun Li. Back: Recipient Siqing Lu, Vice Consul General of China Weilian Shen, patron Paul Steinwachs, Executive Chief of Staff to Mayor Daley Gene Lee, and Culture Consul Song Yang

A magnificent musical bridge of friendship spanning the United States and China was built during "A Stradivari Society® China Evening" on Monday, July 7, 2003. The dazzling gala featured performances by four outstanding Chinese artists — Li-kuo Chang, Yijia Susanne Hou, Chuanyun Li, and Siqing Lu — who received loans from the Society of four exquisite antique instruments valued at $9,000,000. Curtiss Hall, Chicago's oldest performance space, was the venue for the glittering event.

Mary Galvin and Geoffrey Fushi Receive a Special Commendation from Chicago's Mayor Daley

Giving introductory remarks to the standing-room-only audience were Motorola Chairman Christopher Galvin, Executive Chief of Staff to Mayor Daley Gene Lee, and Consul General of China Jinzhong Xu. All paid tribute to the Society's work in furthering both the future of classical music by supporting artistry at the highest level and the bond of friendship between the United States and China.

Guests at a dinner hosted by Mayor Daley in 2003 which featured a performance by recipient Siqing Lu (beginning second from left): Chairman of Motorola China Tim Chen, Motorola Vice President Jenny Wang, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Galvin, Geoffrey Fushi, Siqing Lu, Kuanghao Huang, and members of the Motorola staff

Society Chairman Geoffrey Fushi and Founder Mary Galvin were presented with a handsome leather-bound Letter of Commendation by Mr. Lee, on behalf of Mayor Daley, acknowledging with the highest praise and gratitude the many accomplishments of The Stradivari Society®. Mary Galvin and Geoffrey Fushi expressed their deepest appreciation to Mayor Daley as well as to the many patrons, artists, and dignitaries in attendance, including Mr. and Mrs. Paul Steinwachs, Consul General of Canada Anne Charles, Consul General of Japan Mitsuo Sakaba, Vice Consul General of China Weilian Shen, and Culture Consul of China Song Yang.

Chen Xi and Chuanyun Li Dazzle Audiences in Beijing and Shenzhen

Spectacular virtuosity, capacity crowds, standing ovations, and extensive media coverage were the hallmarks of the Society's June 2005 China tour. Violinist Chen Xi, the youngest artist to ever take the top prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition, and the brilliant Chuanyun Li thrilled audiences in Beijing and Shenzhen with their virtuosic playing on exquisite rare instruments by Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, A & H Amati, Guadagnini, and Balestrieri, educating Chinese music lovers about great Italian instruments and their importance. Programs for both concerts featured a blend of classics from East and West by Li, Dinicu, Yang, Sarasate, Bazzini, Zhao, Massenet, Khachaturian/arr. Heifetz, Joplin/arr. Perlman, Paganini, and Ravel. CCTV 3 filmed the Shenzhen performance for later broadcast throughout China.The elegant Beijing Grand Hotel was the venue for this stellar event held under the auspices of the China International Culture Exchange Center. In the audience were top government officials and VIPs including Hongsheng Lu, secretary general, China International Culture Exchange Center; Hay Tong Lau of Fa Tin Textile and Fashion and Fancieye Tailor; and former China Culture Consul in Chicago Song Yang.

We extend our thanks to the Center's Secretary General Madam Hongsheng Lu, Deputy Secretary General Henry Tian, and Director Xie Janglin for organizing this concert in just five days! Our heartfelt gratitude also goes to Chen Xi's parents, Kang Chen and Jianhua Li, and Toni Zu for their support of this performance. The Shenzhen performance was most generously sponosred by Hay Tong Lau of Fa Tin Textile and Fashion and Fancieye Tailor. Mr. Lau also provided the elegant concert wardrobe for the performers, Geoffrey Fushi, and Society staff members. We are profoundly grateful for his support.

Recipient Chen Xi, Geoffrey Fushi, and Delia Dai after the performance in Shanghai

Geoffrey Fushi Lectures at the China Central Conservatory

In a continuation of a valued association with Professor Yaoji Lin, the esteemed head of the Violin Teaching Division and the leading violin pedagogue of China, Geoffrey Fushi was invited to lecture at the China Central Conservatory. Fushi brought several Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù violins to the well-attended event. He also heard two of Lin's students perform.