Violinist Yang Liu continues to perform and teach both locally and internationally, having recently returned , in February, from the International Festival in Campinas, Brazil where he worked intensively with 15 University students, gave Master Classes, and performed the Paganini Concerto No. 1 with the Festival Orchestra.

Although Yang picked up a strain of Brazilian flu while on tour, he managed to flawlessly perform the Paganini Concerto to multiple standing ovation audiences who energized him to such a degree that he gave them a spellbinding Bach Chaconne encore.

Yang and his pianist wife I-Hsuan Tsai continue to perform together, developing their reputation as a highly sought-after duo:

On March 12 they returned once again to I-Hsuan's alumni teaching college, Carolina Coastal College, Jacksonville, N.C., where, after playing the Schubert Fantasy and Brahms Ballade for solo piano, and works by Prokofiev, Wieniawski and Kreisler for violin and piano, in an auditorium bulging with as many additional seats that the stage and all of the aisles could accommodate, the artists have been asked to return and concertize annually.

March 19 was the 3rd in the Rare Violin Concert Series of Chicago recitals, lavishly hosted in the home of Mrs. Lidia and Dr. Armando Susmano, where Yang dazzled guests by performing on a Stradivarius violin generously loaned for the occasion and presented by Ling Li, Director of the Stradivari Society, and I-Hsuan was thrilled to play the fine Steinway piano belonging to the Susmanos.

After hearing Beethoven's "Spring Sonata" at this event, guests had a chance to compare the rich and phenomenal tones of both the Stradivari violin and the 1640 Amati which Yang plays ( on loan to him through the Stradivari Society), hearing "Schon Rosmarin" (Kreisler) and "Melodie" from Orfeo and Euridice, Gluck; trans. Kreisler, and Ysaye's Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin, performed on both of these rare instruments.

Sunday, April 3, 4 p.m. Recital in a private home, Hyde Park, Chicago. Tickets $20; $15 students. For address and ticket availability call: 773-442-4978.

Monday April 4, 7:30 p.m. Barber Violin Concerto with Roosevelt University College of Performing Arts Orchestra. Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. FREE. Open to public.

Wednesday, April 6 - Governors State University, contact no. for directions is: 1-708-235-2222

Thursday, April 21, 1:40 p.m., Yang performs Master Class with Northeastern Illinois University School of Music students. Bryn Mawr and St. Louis Streets vicinity, campus. Open to public.

Friday, April 22, 8 p.m., Recital. Northeastern Illinois Jewel Box Series. 3701 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Chicago. Parking Lot F. Tickets $15; $10 students, available night or concert of call 773-442-4636.

Saturday, April 30, 7 p.m., Recital at Pianoforte Studios, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. An innovative program on "Zen and Music" including a speaker from a Buddhist Temple in Chicago, and specifically chosen works for piano and violin to demonstrate the ideas of Zen interwoven into music.

$10 donation suggested; free to students and children. Contact Thomas Zoells for limited reservations: 312-291-0000, or info@pianofortechicago.com.

Yang has auditioned prospective violin students at Roosevelt University College of Performing Arts twice this winter, where he is professor of violin, along with his musical colleagues .

May 12 ,Yang performs the Mendelssohn Octet with violinist Rachel Barton and others, at Musicorda Summer Music Festival in South Hadley, Mass., in preparation for joining Rachel and other esteemed music faculty for an exciting schedule of performances at Musicorda this summer. Both Yang and I-Hsuan have been invited by Rachel to join her faculty this summer, performing and teaching .

June 15 takes Yang and I-Hsuan to Washington, D.., where they will give a recorded, videotaped recital at Kennedy Center's prestigious Millennium Stage productions, 6 p.m.

Yang and I-Hsuan hope you will hear them in some of these upcoming recitals and hear Yang's solo with orchestra performances on April 4 and 6.

Marylou Witz Enterprises 
1-312-207-1985