Duo Recital
Hekun Wu, cello | Elise Yun, piano
Thursday, February 19, 7pm

PROGRAM
Stravinsky - Suite Italienne
C. Debussy - Sonata
F. Chopin - Introduction and Polonaise-brilante (Gendron-Francaix new version)
Cesar Franck - Sonata in A major

	Hekun Wu enjoys a versatile career as a concert ‘cellist, conductor, and chamber musician. Wu has concertized as a cellist on three continents in such cities including Shanghai, Paris, New York, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and Taipei. The Boston Globe described his playing as “bold and very full of conviction, given to unusually supple rubato that was beautiful.” Wu has performed with major orchestras in China, giving the first Chinese performances of the Milhaud and Elgar concerti. His 2000 Concerti Concert with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra at the Shanghai Grand Theatre was highly acclaimed. Wu made his debut in France with the Orchestre National de Bordeaux under Pierre Dervaux at the Ravel Festival. The legendary French ‘cellist Maurice Gendron wrote: “We heard and saw you on French television performing Faure’s El?gie, it was very beautiful, Bravo.” Wu performed the Chinese premi?re of Penderecki’s Concerto Grosso (2001) with the composer conducting at the Shanghai International Music Festival. Most recently, he gave a series of recitals of the six Bach Solo Suites in Oregon; appeared as recitalist at the Nice International Summer Festival/Academy; and as conductor and cellist at the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival/Institute in Washington. He has recorded for Albany, BIS, and CRC labels. Dr. Wu is currently the professor of ‘cello at Willamette University and has previously taught at Wellesley College and the Shanghai Conservatory. Wu has led masterclasses and workshops at the New England Conservatory, the Longy School, the Shanghai Conservatory, Hong Kong Performing Arts Academy, and the Taipei National University of the Arts. Born and educated in Shanghai and later at the Paris Conservatoire, he completed his graduate studies in the U.S. Wu studied with renowned ‘cellists Maurice Gendron, Paul Tortelier, and Zara Nelsova, Tanya Remenikova, and Leslie Parnas. He was a recipient of ‘cello and conducting fellowships for four years from the Aspen Music Festival.
	Pianist Elise Yun has performed in solo and collaborative recitals in the U.S. and abroad, including the Ravinia Festival Steans Institute, The Moscow Conservatory International Institute, and at Carnegie Recital Hall (Weill) as a winner of the Artists International Auditions. Following her New York recital, Yun’s playing was described as, “full of meaningful expression and musical intelligence.” She has performed in such venues as Merkin Hall, the International Conference Hall in Kyoto, Japan, and live on WQXR-NYC and WGBH-Boston radio. In demand as a collaborative pianist, she has performed extensively with cellist Hekun Wu in the U.S., Italy, Austria, and China to critical acclaim. A proponent of contemporary music, she has premiered a number of new works by Eric Sawyer, Arlene Zallman, and Adnan Saygun and has recorded for CRC and Albany Records. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with musicians from Lyrica Chamber Ensemble (NJ), Musica Mundana (NJ), Norfolk Chamber Seminar (CT), as well as in numerous lieder recitals. Dr. Yun has given masterclasses and lecture-recitals in the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and China. She has taught at The Juilliard School as a Teaching Fellow as well as New York University, Westminster Conservatory (NJ), and most recently, at Wellesley College. A graduate of Wellesley College, she completed her graduate studies at The Juilliard School and New York University. Currently, she serves on the music faculty at Willamette University.