Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer
Jennifer Higdon
created 'Dance Card' as a tribute to the lyricism and passion of music, and Principal Conductor
Mei-Ann Chen
immerses us in Rachmaninov's breathtaking 'Symphonic Dances'.
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Dance Card & Symphonic Dances
Jennifer Higdon, the 1962 New Year’s baby from Brooklyn, never fails to surprise. Mei-Ann Chen conducts her Dance Card with such virtuosity that you feel like dancing along. Not so with Rachmaninov’s powerful Symphonic Dances: this opulent late masterpiece by the Russian in American exile is symphonic music in widescreen format.
Recreation is special in many ways: consisting of musicians whose nationalities range from Japan to Venezuela, most of the members received part of their training in Graz. After its formation in 2002, the collective has played in unique halls such as the Alte Oper Frankfurt and has worked with outstanding conductors.
Born in Taiwan, Mei-Ann Chen has lived in the US since 1989 and holds a doctorate in music (conducting) and a master’s degree in violin performance. One of America’s most promising young conductors, she was the first woman to win the Malko International Conductors Competition and has been appointed chief conductor of Recreation Graz beginning fall 2021.
