With the unbroken joie de vivre of Dvořák’s 8th Symphony and the murmur and flow of Smetana’s "Moldova",
Mei-Ann Chen
brings the first harbingers of spring into the
Stefaniensaal.
Content
Hymns to the Bohemian Nature
In Smetana’s day the Moldau was often still frozen in February. When Mei-Ann Chen is on the podium, it flows so magnificently, one might imagine spring had already arrived. The mighty Vyšehrad Castle towers on the banks of the river. Dvořák also paid tribute in music to his country’s lifeline with his Symphony No.8, his anthem to the Bohemian countryside.
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.
