“Integration and Harmony” - NYU Professor and World-Renowned Timpanist Jonathan Haas Performs at the Opening of the 8th PAS (China) Percussion Festiva

On the evening of August 2nd, the 8th PAS (China) Percussion Festival kicked off with great fanfare at the Beijing Jinfan Concert Hall. Guided by the Beijing Cultural Center and the Xicheng District Culture and Tourism Bureau, and jointly organized by the Xicheng District Cultural Center, Beijing Jinfan Concert Hall, and PAS China Percussive Arts Society, the festival brought together leading figures from the international percussion world. Among them were Chinese percussion educator and performer Shanlin Jiao, NYU professor Jonathan Haas, Juilliard School professor Mark Sherman, Kean University professor James Musto, and Chinese percussionist Shiqi Zhong. Together, they presented a captivating "Beijing Percussion Gala" to nearly a thousand audience members.

Shanlin Jiao, President of the PAS (China) Percussive Arts Society, stated, "Since its inception in 2017, the PAS (China) Percussion Festival has become a crucial platform for international percussion exchange. It has brought together nearly a thousand percussion artists from around the world, hosted over 80 international top-tier percussion concerts and masterclasses, and reached nearly 8 million audiences through live and online events. This year's festival features more than 40 percussion educators and performers from around the globe, showcasing traditional cultures from different regions and sharing musical philosophies and techniques, promoting the exchange and fusion of Eastern and Western music. With each note's rise and fall, the 8th PAS (China) Percussion Festival embarks on a new journey, inviting audiences to join us in an exhilarating percussion appointment to hear the sound of our times."

Shanlin Jiao, President of PAS(China)

 

The opening concert of the festival featured a performance of "The Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra" by Jonathan Haas, Chinese percussionist Shiqi Zhong and Two Yu piano duo. Composed by Philip Glass and written for Jonathan Haas, this piece is one of the most avant-garde timpani concertos of our time. It's uniquely distinguished as the only work to use more than 10 timpani simultaneously, creating a breathtaking spectacle and presenting significant performance challenges.

Jonathan Haas, Music Professor of NYU

This was Jonathan Haas's first performance of the piece in China, marking his 71st performance of the concerto throughout his career. His mature and refined performance highlighted his mastery of tone and technique. Haas's clear phrasing and profound musical understanding showcased his status as a world-class timpani player. His exquisite technique and delicate musical expression provided the audience with an auditory feast.

Jonathan Haas's profound understanding of the timpani extends beyond technical prowess to a unique perception and innovative use of the instrument. He believes the timpani is not merely a percussion instrument but a medium capable of conveying deep emotions through subtle tonal changes and complex rhythmic structures. In "The Concerto Fantasy for Two Timpanists and Orchestra," Haas skillfully captures the diverse layers and emotions of the piece through precise control over the timpani's various tonal ranges. Employing a variety of striking techniques, including rapid rolls, light taps, and powerful strokes, the piece is rich in dynamics and emotion, delivering a dramatic musical experience. His performance demonstrated not only precise control of the score but also a profound understanding and unique artistic perspective on the music.

Joining Jonathan Haas on stage was his longtime student, Chinese percussionist Shiqi Zhong. Zhong added a fresh dimension to the performance with his commanding presence and expert percussion techniques. His deep and innovative understanding of timpani playing emphasizes both technical proficiency and musical expressiveness. Zhong's exceptional control and dexterity were evident as he navigated dynamic contrasts and phrase transitions. His performance highlighted a mastery over the timpani's diverse tonal palette, effortlessly transitioning between dynamics to express the piece's complex emotions and layers. Alternating between gentle beauty and powerful intensity, he fully demonstrated his deep understanding of the piece's essence.

Shiqi Zhong, DMA student of NYU

 

The entire performance was not only impressive but also a profoundly moving musical experience. The two artists' flawless coordination and unique interpretation of the work fully revealed the emotional depth of the piece, earning prolonged applause and enthusiastic cheers from the audience. This performance set an exhilarating tone for the festival's opening concert.

Jonathan Haas, a professor of music at NYU, is co-director of the university’s orchestral and percussion programs, director of instrumental performance, and conductor of the NYU contemporary music and percussion ensembles. He is a faculty/artist of the Juilliard Pre-College percussion studio, conductor of the Pre-College Percussion Ensemble, and an artist-faculty member at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he conducts the Aspen Percussion Ensemble. Haas is the principal percussionist of the American Symphony, principal timpanist of the Aspen Chamber Orchestra, and percussionist of the American Composers Orchestra. Renowned as a leading American timpani performer, Haas enjoys a prestigious reputation on the global music stage.

During an interview with a CCTV reporter at the event, Jonathan Haas expressed, "This is my first time at the PAS (China) Percussion Festival. Tonight's performance was a fantastic opportunity for exchange. I'm honored to share artistic experiences with scholars from the United States. Audiences will witness at least a hundred different types of drums from China, the United States, the East, the West, and around the world. That's the charm of percussion—we perform various musical styles. NYU has always supported musicians, artists, and researchers from around the world in sharing our knowledge in countries like China. As one of the world's top educational institutions, NYU's participation in the festival offers an excellent opportunity to expand its global influence."

Jonathan Haas, Interview on CCTV

At the invitation of the NYU Alumni Association, Wei He, Secretary-General of the Guizhou Institute for Modern Urban and Rural Economic Development, along with over 30 alumni, gathered in Beijing to warmly welcome Professor Jonathan Haas for his performance in China. They attended the concert and presented flowers to Jonathan Haas and Shiqi Zhong on behalf of the alumni association, creating a warm and touching scene.

He Wei, NYU alumni Interview on CCTV

Anna Kepe-Haas, Jonathan Haas, and Shiqi Zhong Interview on CCTV

 

This year's festival, themed "Integration and Harmony," focuses on exploring the diversity of percussion performance arts at home and abroad, blending Eastern and Western percussion with modern sounds and electronic music to create a stunning musical experience.

Shiqi Zhong, a Chinese percussionist and deputy editor of the PAS (China) Percussive Arts Society, and one of the "Top Ten Outstanding Chinese Youths in the U.S." in 2021, remarked, "Integration and Harmony are not only the themes of this event but also our vision for the future development of music. In this era of diversity, percussion, as a unique form of musical performance, plays an important role on the world stage. Through the exchange and fusion of different cultures and musical forms, we aim to bring a richer musical experience to audiences at home and abroad."

The 8th PAS (China) Percussion Festival featured a comprehensive lineup of events, greatly contributing to the inheritance, innovation, and dissemination of Chinese percussion performance arts.

Performers on the Opening Concert

 

Written by Liang Ping | Photography by Fan Suli