Bruch - Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46

Suli Xue, violin
Kazuko Shinozaki, harp
Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Russell, conductor

Recorded at the Shenzhen Concert Hall on 12 July 2024 in Shenzhen, China

0:49 Introduction
4:42 I. Adagio cantabile
9:47 II. Scherzo
16:43 III. Andante sostenuto
23:35 IV. Finale: Allegro guerriero
32:05 Applause

One of the most outstanding Chinese-American violinists, SULI XUE enjoys an active career on today’s international music stage. A member of Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Artistic Director of Schoenfeld International String Competition, the Artistic Director of Hong Kong International Music Festival, the Chairman of Schoenfeld International Music Society, the Artistic Advisor of Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, the founder of Pacific Harmony String Quartet, former Professor of Violin in USC Thornton School of Music and concertmaster of the Central Symphony Orchestra of China , Suli Xue has earned high acclaim around the world for his unique artistry. Suli Xue graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and USC Thornton school of Music - a protégé of world-renowned violin professor, Alice Schoenfeld. He is on the faculty of Azusa Pacific University.
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Born in Tokyo, KAZUKO SHINOZAKI started playing the harp at the age of eight under the guidance of her mother, Fumiko Shinozaki. She graduated from Toho Gakuen College of Music and the Conservatory of Nice, where she won gold medals unanimously in the judges' votes.
Her rich talent blossomed from an early age, and she has won many awards in competitions both in Japan and abroad. She studied in Paris for two years as an overseas artist trainee sent by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Since returning to Japan in 2004, she has performed with major orchestras in Japan, as well as in recitals and chamber music concerts in various places. She has also participated in the Tokyo Spring Music Festival, the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, and the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Her repertoire ranges from classical to modern, as well as contemporary works. She is also eager to premiere new pieces by composers of her generation. In April 2002, she made her solo CD debut with her first album, "The Queen in the Tower" (Meister Music). In August 2010, she released "Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp K.299" (Meister Music) with flute player Shigenori Kudo, which attracted attention. She has also released the CD "Merry Christmas" (SONY) with Shinozaki Fumiko and "Harpsichord + Harp II" (Kojima) with harpsichordist Laurent Techené. In January 2020, she made her concerto debut in China. She was selected as an artist in residence at the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in China. She has studied under Joseph Molnard, Marie-Claire Jamet, Michel Violaume, Isabelle Moretti, and Germaine Lorenzini. She is a part-time lecturer at Toho Gakuen School of Music, a part-time lecturer at Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, and a director of the Pacific Rim Arts Association. Major awards : 1992, First Place in the Young Division of the 4th Japan Harp Competition. In 1993, she won second place in the Junior Division of the 1st Lily Laskine International Harp Competition. In 1995, she became the youngest winner of the Professional Division of the 7th Japan Harp Competition. In 1997, she won second place in the Professional Division of the 9th Japan Harp Competition. In 1998, she won first place in the Advanced Harp Division of the UFAM International Music Competition (held in Aix-en-Provence). In 2001, she won a prize at the 5th USA International Harp Competition. In 2004, she won a prize at the 6th USA International Harp Competition. In 2006, she won the Encouragement Award in the Western Music Division of the 18th ExxonMobil Music Award. In 2009, she won the 19th Idemitsu Music Award.
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Conductor CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL has been called “a forcefully dramatic conductor with a strong technique” by the Los Angeles Times. He regularly guest conducts nationally and internationally. Russell serves as Associate Professor and Chair of the Music department at Azusa Pacific University (APU) in Southern California and conducts their internationally-recognized Symphony Orchestra. Russell has conducted throughout the United States and many foreign countries including Australia, Brazil, England, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Russia. Prestigious concert halls he has conducted in include Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, London’s Central Hall, the Glass Hall of Vienna’s Musikverein, and the Glinka Capella in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Russell’s musical projects in China have been in Beijing, Dalian, Harbin, Hong Kong, Qingdao, and Zhengzhou. Russell is also a regular pre-concert lecturer for the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Instagram: @russellconductor
Website: russellconductor.com