Violinist Cho-Liang Lin to Perform Tan Dun's Hero Concerto in China and Chamber Music at Montecito Music Festival

Internationally acclaimed violinist Cho-Liang Lin will showcase his versatility across two distinctive performances this summer, beginning with Tan Dun's Hero Violin Concerto in Qingdao, China on June 21, followed by chamber music concerts at the prestigious Montecito Music Festival in Thousand Oaks, California on July 1-2, 2025.

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Violinist Cho-Liang Lin

The Qingdao performance promises a spectacular multimedia experience as Lin performs Tan Dun's violin concerto derived from the Oscar-winning composer's score for Zhang Yimou's martial arts epic Hero (2002). Part of a festival curated by Tan Dun himself, the concert at the Qingdao Poly Theater will feature the composer conducting the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra while projected highlights from the film starring Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung, and Zhang Ziyi create an immersive fusion of music and cinema. The concerto uniquely requires two violins: one with standard tuning to represent romantic and lyrical themes, and another strung with silk strings to evoke ancient Chinese melodies and the heroic spirit of the film's protagonists. This innovative instrumentation reflects Tan Dun's signature style of blending Eastern and Western musical traditions, creating what he calls part of his "Martial Arts Cycle" alongside concertos based on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and The Banquet.

"Performing Tan Dun's Hero Concerto with the composer conducting is always an extraordinary experience," says Lin, who has championed Tan Dun's works throughout his career, including premiering the composer's violin concerto "The Love" at Carnegie Hall's 2009 China Festival and recording "Out of Peking Opera." "The marriage of his music with Zhang Yimou's stunning visuals creates a truly unique concert experience that transcends traditional boundaries. The innovative use of two violins with different stringing captures both the intimate human emotions and the epic scope of the film's narrative."

Following his China engagement, Lin will shift to the intimate chamber music setting of the Montecito Music Festival at California Lutheran College, located in the scenic hills northwest of Los Angeles. The July 1-2 concerts will feature Lin alongside distinguished colleagues including Robert DeMaine, principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, pianist Scott Cuellar, violinist Aaron Boyd, and three of Lin's students from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. The programs will showcase works by Beethoven, Spohr, and Telemann, highlighting Lin's mastery across classical repertoire.

These performances exemplify Lin's commitment to both groundbreaking contemporary works and classical chamber music traditions. His longstanding collaboration with Tan Dun has been instrumental in bringing Chinese-influenced compositions to international audiences, while his dedication to chamber music continues through regular appearances at prestigious festivals worldwide. The summer concerts are part of Lin's extensive 2025 season, which earlier included chamber music performances at Rice University with pianist Jon Kimura Parker and appearances at the Fresno State University Violin Festival in March, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to both performance excellence and educational outreach.

Event Details:

Qingdao, China Performance:

• Date: June 21, 2025
• Venue: Qingdao Poly Theater
• Program: Tan Dun's Hero Violin Concerto (with film projection)
  • Features music from movements: "Hero," "Above Water," "Wind Sword," and "Sorrow in the Desert"
  • Multimedia presentation synchronized with scenes from Zhang Yimou's film
• Orchestra: Qingdao Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Tan Dun

Montecito Music Festival:

• Dates: July 1-2, 2025
• Venue: California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
• Artists: Cho-Liang Lin (violin), Robert DeMaine (cello), Scott Cuellar (piano), Aaron Boyd (violin), and students from Rice University
• Program: Works by Beethoven, Spohr, and Telemann

About Cho-Liang Lin

Cho-Liang Lin has captivated audiences worldwide since his 1980 New York Philharmonic debut. A champion of contemporary music, he has premiered over 54 new works, including pieces by Pulitzer Prize-winner Christopher Rouse and Grammy-winner Joan Tower. Currently a professor at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, Lin serves as Artistic Director of the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival. His 2025 season includes performances at Fresno State and with Costa Rica's National Symphony. He performs on the 1715 "Titian" Stradivarius.

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About the Montecito Music Festival

The Montecito Music Festival is a renowned multi-session music residency that brings world-class musicians and emerging artists together at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. Celebrating 18 years of musical excellence, the festival offers immersive programs in piano, strings, winds, orchestra, and chamber music, featuring faculty from the world's leading universities and orchestras. Beyond its educational mission, the festival presents public concerts that showcase both established artists and promising young musicians in Southern California's picturesque setting.

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