Classical Music at Russell Library on Saturday, November 17 at 1:30pm

Jia-Yi He

Classical harmonica player Jia-Yi He will be accompanied by a string quartet as he plays a wide selection of masterworks this Saturday at Russell Library beginning at 1:30pm.

Born in Beijing, China, Jia-Yi He began playing harmonica when he was ten years old. Though he learned to play other instruments, harmonicas are what he has chosen to play professionally. He has performed all over the world, both as a solo act and with orchestras, and his harmonica music has accompanied a number of movies. He has played at the United Nations and for a New York Mets' game at Shea Stadium. 

This concert is part of the Immigrant Artist series sponsored by the Friends of the Russell Library and the Middletown Commission on the Arts. 

The performers for the concert are:

Jiayi He, harmonica
Brian Roach, violin 1
Shannon Prouty, violin 2
Dylan Lomangino, viola
Matthew Rescsanszky, cello

The program includes such pieces as: 

Arioso                                J.S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Clarinet Polka                     Karol Namyslowski (1856 – 1925)

Oh! Susanna                      Stephen Foster (1826 – 1864)

Flight of the Bumblebee      Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844 – 1908)
Spring of Xinjiang (1956)    Yao Zhong (Two 20^th century Chinese composers)
Fairy Couple (1954)            Huangmei Opera
Juke                                  Walter Jacobs (1930 – 1968)
Liebesfreud (Love’s Joy)      Fritz Kreisler (1875 – 1962)
Blue Danube Waltz              Johann Strauss II (1825 – 1899)
Comedians’ Galop               Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904 – 1987)
Spanish Gypsy Dance          Pascual Marquina Narro (1873 – 1948)
Amazing Grace                   John Newton (1725 – 1807)
Turkish March                     Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791)