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The lecture/performance on Saturday, Jan 20 was the first given by a foreigner at Shanghai Library.   A distinctly Chinese-fashioned jacket was ordered for the occasion, beautifully tailored and delivered the night before the performance.  I had an excellent and deeply committed interpreter, who  met with me a few days before the performance and proceded to do research on the various terms and subject matter.  She was very well prepared.
The subject matter included Gottschalk, Liszt, Joplin, Bartok (with Ma Xiaohui, erhu) Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue, Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce”, a Liu Tianhua piece arranged as  a jazz piano solo, Ellington’s “Sophisticated Lady” (with erhu) and then a pair of Chinese traditional pieces. (more…)