Sound of Harvest 2026: Tracing a musical journey from Dunhuang to modern times

The Chinese Musicians Association of North America is set to stage Sound of Harvest 2026, the third installment of its signature cross-cultural concert series. Performances will take place on September 12 at the Nicholas Music Center of Rutgers University and on September 13 at the Memorial Auditorium of Montclair State University.

Now entering its third year, the Sound of Harvest concert unites outstanding musicians and diverse musical traditions spanning China, Japan, West Africa, Europe and the Americas. This year's repertoire embarks on a musical journey originating from Dunhuang and the ancient Silk Road, unfolding in progressive breadth: from ancient pipa scores to contemporary compositions, from traditional Chinese string melodies to European lute tunes, and from Japanese taiko drums and Ghanaian percussion to cinematic soundtracks and vibrant Latin rhythms.

Rather than merely presenting diverse musical traditions in isolation, the concert seeks to facilitate authentic dialogue and integration across cultures.

The opening piece of the concert will be Riffs and Flow by composer Wang Lu, an innovative composition inspired by ancient pipa notations preserved in the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang.

Earlier this year, the work premiered at the Harvard Art Museums, performed on a mother-of-pearl inlaid five-string pipa. This exclusive instrument was commissioned by Harvard CAMLab and handcrafted by distinguished luthier Cao Weidong, modeled after traditional Tang Dynasty pipa designs.

In Riffs and Flow, the ancient musical scores are not rigidly restored as static historical relics. Instead, they serve as creative inspiration for modern musical interpretation and cross-cultural exchange. Pipa, erhu, guzheng and piano engage in responsive interplay and improvisation, breathing new life into age-old musical languages and bridging ancient heritage with modern aesthetics.

Following the opening piece, the program features two strikingly contrasting violin works.

Zhan Shu, Assistant Concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra, will perform Desert of Sorrow — the fourth movement of Tan Dun's violin and piano sonata Hero — before presenting Fishermen's Harvest Song, a classic 1973 composition by Li Zili.

The two works showcase the rich duality of Chinese musical expression. Tan Dun's composition features stark, dramatic melodies with powerful emotional tension, while Fishermen's Harvest Song delivers bright, lyrical tones rooted in authentic Chinese folk musical styles. Interpreted on the same violin, the music transitions seamlessly from the desolate vastness of desert landscapes to the jubilant vitality of waterfront harvest scenes.

The concert's musical journey then extends westward to embrace European classical traditions.

Jason Priset, faculty member at Montclair State University and Festival Director of the Lute Society of America, will bring exquisite early European lute music to this Asia-centered cross-cultural performance.

Though the lute and pipa evolved independently along distinct historical trajectories, their coexistence on one stage illustrates a timeless truth: musical instruments, performers and artistic inspirations have always traveled across borders with humanity.

The grand finale of the evening will be Passion of the Living by composer Xiong Junjie. Centered on the pipa, the dynamic piece blends traditional Chinese instrumental melody with vivid Latin rhythmic styles, creating a lively cross-genre artistic encounter.

Its Chinese title draws on a classic poetic imagery: blooming flowers beneath bright moonlight, and people gathering in joyful communion — a perfect poetic epilogue to the entire concert.