Yang and Olivia

Description

Global Music Award Silver Medalist Yang and Olivia is a dynamic violin-piano duo who create an unforgettable storytelling event in their program, featuring contemporary and classical works from different parts of the world. They have been the featured recitalists for many concert associations, performing across the United States, and appearing internationally highlighted by performances at major festivals and venues, such as Ravinia Festival, Kennedy Center, SESC Music Festival in Brazil, Algarve Music Festival in Portugal and throughout their homeland China, among others. Violinist Yang Liu is the prize winner of the 12th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the 2021 International Artists Award Competition, and the Medici Competition,. Olivia is a frequent presenter of MTNA, CMS and other music festivals and conferences, promoting music of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage. The duo founded the Yang and Olivia Arts Foundation, advocating diversity and inclusion through music of different cultures. Recently, they dedicate their performances to contemporary works by Taiwanese women composers, Brazilian composers and composers from the US. They have many outreaches to schools, senior homes and libraries. Topics include "Red Music"

Work Sample

This video is produced during pandemic in 2020 in our recording studio. The title of the work is Tchaikovsky op 42 no 2 Scherzo. The length is 3' 07''. This recording won the silver medal of the Global Music Award.

This piece is called Fisherman's Song at Sunset, based on an ancient Chinese folk tune. In our program, we feature many Chinese transcriptions for violin and piano. Many have interesting stories behind them: history, politics, and culture. This performance was in June 2022. The length of the piece is 5'45''

In our program we also feature many contemporary works by underrepresented composers, recently focusing on Taiwanese women composers, and Western composers living in Asia. Internationally, we also bring young American composers' work to foreign countries, and contemporary non-American composers' works to the stages in the US. This one is called Gin-A Koa (Children's Song) by Taiwanese woman composer Chihchun chi-sun Lee. This performance was in October, 2022. This piece has 3 movements, lasts 9'25''.

The work examples are part of the carefully curated program, mixed with Western classical, contemporary, and folk. Yang And Olivia has done several presentations in the following topics, with short descriptions provided. 5000-Mile Journey: Throughout history, people have traveled thousands of miles to trade between the West and the East: produce, spices, gold, leather"¦ etc. Music traveled along with them. In this program, you will hear music that spans 5000 miles and 5000 years.

History

Global Music Silver Medalist Yang and Olivia is a dynamic violin-piano duo who create an unforgettable storytelling event in their program, featuring contemporary and classical works from different parts of the world. The duo is passionate about performing new works by underrepresented composers in underrepresented communities and townships, advocating diversity and inclusion through music of different cultures. Recently they feature works by Taiwanese women composers, and Western composers living in Asia. They also brought young American composers' music to foreign counties and premiered non-American works in the US. Their presentations reached many remote townships, and are much sought after in major music conferences. Violinist Yang Liu is the prize winner of the 12th International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, the first prize winner of the 2021 International Artists Award Competition, and the Medici International Competition. Olivia is a frequent presenter of MTNA, CMS and other music festivals and conferences, promoting music of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage. In recent years, not only have they traveled to more than 30 cities in the United States, they have also been performing and teaching in China, Portugal, Brazil, and Taiwan. Currently they are both faculty of VanderCook College of Music.

Artistic Vision

As mentioned in the ensemble history, Yang and Olivia's vision is to present underrepresented music to remote townships and communities where quality performances are limited and less accessible. They presented in senior homes, libraries, schools and remote-area concert venues. Their inspiration and motivation came from a famous pianist György Sebõk who once said, "...if you travel, then you have the feeling that music is a very rare treasure, that there is no overpopulation of musicians in a real sense. If everyone wants to go around the world, or give a recital in Carnegie Hall, then we are too many. But if we want to live in different communities small and big, and teach and perform music, then we are not enough.'' Yang And Olivia believes sharing music of different styles and periods increases the understanding between people of different cultures, and connects each other in a very profound and beautiful way.

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

The communities served include local senior homes, libraries, schools and regional chapters of major music conferences. For the senior homes, since the residences are not as mobile, they are always appreciative when quality performances are done in their residence. The attendance is usually around 20-30 people, in the lobby area. It is the highlight of their day/month/year. And they do cherish much more being aware of their limited time left in the world. For the libraries, the event is open to everyone. Some libraries are blessed with an auditorium, some have classrooms. The attendance is usually around 20-30 people. Library events are always free, and the facility is ADA-compliant. For many, going to the local library is much more accessible than making a trip downtown for a highly-priced performance. For the schools, it is open to the students of the host school. The attendance is usually in the hundreds. Many kids do not know much about the music that the foundation promotes. Many have not even attended a live concert. It opens the eyes and ears of the little ones and even plants a seed of pursuing music in their hearts. For conferences, music camps and festivals, the audiences are professional musicians or music students. The purpose of the presentations will be to raise awareness of the underrepresented composers and their music, so their music can be performed more by other fellow musicians.