Valparaiso University Artist-Teacher in Residence, violinist Yuan-Qing Yu, will present a recital of works by Igor Stravinsky and Ottorino Respighi on Saturday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m. in Duesenberg Recital Hall in the Valparaiso University Center for Arts. The program will also feature film music from Schindler's List and Fiddler on the Roof. Ms. Yu will be joined by Associate Professor of Music, Joseph Bognar, piano. Admission is free.
A native of Shanghai, China, Yuan-Qing began playing violin at the age of six and graduated with highest distinction from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. At seventeen, she won the Chinese Nationwide Violin Competition. The following year, she captured second prize at the Menuhin International Violin Competition. She was awarded the grand prize in the Holland Music Sessions World Concert Tour Competition two years later. Yuan-Qing also took third grand prize in the Jacques Thibaud International Competition in Paris.
Yuan-Qing Yu joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 1995. A year later, Daniel Barenboim appointed her assistant concertmaster. An international award-winning violinist, she leads an active life as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and advocate for the Orchestra.
Yuan-Qing has given numerous critically acclaimed performances as featured soloist with the CSO, the Monte Carlo and Radio France philharmonics, and the London City Orchestra. She has performed concertos under Christoph von Dohnányi, Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Marek Janowski, and James DePreist. She also has appeared in recital throughout the U.S. and Europe. An active chamber musician, Yuan-Qing has collaborated with Daniel Barenboim, Pinchas Zukerman, Menahem Pressler, Lang Lang, and Yo-Yo Ma. Locally, she can be seen and heard regularly on WFMT's Live programs, with the Rembrandt Chamber players, on the Norton Building Concert Series, and in Northwestern University's Winter Music Festival.