When cello meets piano

Moonlight, adapted by Li from Debussy's Clair de Lune, opens the concert series, which is deeply rooted in Chen's life experiences, and reflects his journey as a young artist.

The story begins in the summer of 2001. At that time, Chen, still a student, had been invited by the renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa to participate in a music festival in Japan, which was aimed at supporting and showcasing young musicians.

"What left the deepest impression on me wasn't the stage lights, but one evening on the Okushiga (highlands in central Japan). That day, I was lying on the grass with a few Japanese friends I had just met. It was there, for the first time in my life, that I saw the vast, complete sky and the Milky Way," recalls Chen. "That moment was overwhelming, and I was just 20 years old. To this day, whenever I feel lost, I always think back to that night — the moonlight and the stars. I remind myself that it was my starting point, my purest passion for music.

"It's not just about performing someone else's work; it's about telling my own story. That's where the real connection happens. When I perform, I'm not just playing an instrument; I'm sharing a part of myself," he adds.

The performance itself was also intimate and reflective with the premiere of Li's original work, titled A Letter From Afar.