Presentation: Echoes of the Seasons

Explore how Eastern and Western composers interpret the seasons across different musical traditions. Western selections express vivid natural imagery, from Vivaldi’s dynamic storms to Tchaikovsky’s romantic winter scenes and the reflective mood of Autumn Leaves. These works translate the physical world into sound through color, emotion and narrative. Eastern musical philosophy centers Yijing (意境), an aesthetic that blends atmosphere, poetry and spiritual resonance. Rooted in the Chinese pentatonic scale, this approach moves beyond direct depiction, inviting listeners to experience nature as a contemplative reflection of the self. Through classical masterworks, jazz and traditional Chinese repertoire, this lecture‑recital highlights how artistic languages encounter one another across cultures. The program invites audiences to hear how different musical philosophies interpret the seasons and how these perspectives generate deeper understanding of memory, place and expression. About the presenter: Yinxuan Long (pronounced Yin-Shwahn) is an international award-winning Pianist, Arts advocate, and Music Faculty member at Chabot College in the Bay Area. Featured in Yahoo News and The World Journal for her cultural contributions, she has collaborated with distinguished organizations including the San Francisco Ballet, the New World Symphony, and the Grammy-nominated St. Petersburg String Quartet. Connect: Long, Yinxuan - Website