DIARY NOTE
6 JUNE 2005
Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Jindong Cai
Free International Orchestral Programme in Auckland
90 members of Stanford University’s Symphony Orchestra, a prize-winning Chinese-American conductor who has written a
definitive best seller on East-West music, and a programme of music that’s accessible and challenging.
Aucklanders will be treated to a stunning musical feast under the baton of internationally renowned Jindong Cai,
critically acclaimed Stanford Symphony Orchestra conductor, at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (Parnell) Thursday 16 June
2005, 7.30pm.
Included is the world premiere of a piece by Jonathan Berger, Chair of Stanford’s Department of Music (“Interlude from
the Three Christs of Ypsilanti”)
Jindong Cai, conductor, born in Beijing, China, studied in Chinese and US conservatories. He was chosen to study with
Leonard Bernstein at the Tanglewood Music Center (US), and has received extensive critical acclaim for his orchestral
and opera performances. (His 1992 opera conducting debut at the Lincoln Centre, NY, prompted the New York Times
description “one of the more compelling experiences so far offered at the Festival”). Jindong and his wife Sheila Melvin
(a regular contributor to the New York Times, Asian Wall Street Journal, and Wall Street Journal) wrote the definitive
best seller “Rhapsody in Red: How Western Classical Music Became Chinese”.
Stanford Symphony Orchestra is a highly accomplished university orchestra which has performed extensively
internationally including at Carnegie Hall (USA), Grand Hall – Sorbonne (Paris), Southwark Cathedral (London), Beijing
Concert Hall (China) – and many more. This is the orchestra’s first trip ‘down under’.
The programme: As well as Jonathan Berger’s Interlude, the orchestra will play: Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from
Westside Story; The Rhyme of Taigu by Zhou Long, and Stravinsky’s The Fire Bird.
The programme is being brought to New Zealand by Present Australia and New Zealand. Bookings 0800 174-882
Ends