Aspiration 初心 —— Li, Bochan 李博禅

Aspiration 初心 —— Li, Bochan 李博禅 Composed in July 2019, Aspiration (初心) was commissioned by composer Li Bochan for the erhu competition of the 12th China Golden Bell Awards for Music. The title, Original Aspiration, carries a profound meaning, symbolizing the most original and pure ideals that reside within each of us. Since its premiere, Aspiration has become one of the widely acclaimed works for Chinese traditional instruments in recent years. The orchestral version received its world premiere by the China National Traditional Orchestra (CNTO) at the opening concert of the 4th “Spring of Chinese Music” Festival, conducted by Principal Conductor Liu Sha. The version presented in this performance is a newly adapted version of Aspiration, arranged for violin by Xiang Fang. While preserving the work’s distinctive character and emotional essence, Fang incorporates a rich array of violin techniques. The violin’s nuanced and highly varied vibrato, together with virtuosic bowing techniques such as ricochet and flying spiccato, as well as its broader range and expanded upper register, bring a sonic character distinct from that of the erhu. These elements further enrich the work’s emotional palette, giving the music greater delicacy, brilliance, and breadth of expression. “Sourceward · Aspiration” Selected Contemporary Chinese Works for Violin and Piano “大江 · 初心” 中国当代小提琴与钢琴作品选 Chopin Music Hall/Baishi Pianos · Nanjing, China 肖邦音乐厅/百世琴行 · 南京，中国 Aug 3, 2026 Violinist: Xiang Fang 方向 (DM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music) Pianist: Heyue Zhang 章荷月 (Assistant Professor of Piano Performance in Nanjing Normal University, China)