Set against the rich cultural backdrop of China, the classical concert—part of the ‘VIP Classical – China Edition’ series, organized by SAMIT Event Group under the patronage of the Embassy of China in the United Arab Emirates, offers a unique evening of refined artistry, celebrating the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations.

SAMIT is the premier Event & PR management group leading the expansion of global arts and cultural heritage throughout the Middle East. Specialising in producing significant events in classical music, opera, theatre, and performance arts, SAMIT creates platforms where international talent and regional audiences connect. With this project, guests are invited to a distinctive and intimate concert experience, allowing close interaction with the artists in an exclusive private setting.

At the heart of the evening are two exceptional musicians—cellist LiLa and pianist Qiuning Huang, whose performance brings to life the lyrical beauty of Chinese aesthetics, international resonance, and youthful vitality. Their artistry, deeply rooted in the elegance of traditional Chinese culture, transcends borders, fostering a meaningful dialogue among civilizations and illuminating the timeless voice of Chinese art in a modern global context.

A graduate of the prestigious Kronberg Academy, LiLa has risen swiftly on the international stage, celebrated for her rare musical depth and expressive virtuosity. She is a laureate of several major competitions, including the Tchaikovsky International Competition for Young Musicians and the Antonio Janigro International Cello Competition. Her performances have captivated audiences at esteemed venues such as the Zürich Tonhalle, Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, and Moscow Tchaikovsky Concert Hall, alongside orchestras including the Verbier Chamber Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, and China NCPA Orchestra.

She is joined by Qiuning Huang, a collaborative pianist whose sensitive and insightful interpretations provide a perfect complement to LiLa’s dynamic tone. Their shared cultural roots add profound depth to their music, drawing inspiration from Chinese poetry, philosophy, and tradition. Together, they craft a program that celebrates the expressive power of the cello and the enduring beauty of classical music.

This exclusive evening promises an unforgettable journey through sound, culture, and emotion, infused with the richness of Chinese heritage and uniting diverse audiences through the universal language of music.

PROGRAM

PART 1

Xiaogang Ye
Poem of China, for Cello and Piano, Op.15

Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Sonata in D Minor, Op.40
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Allegro
III. Largo
IV. Allegro

INTERMISSION

PART 2

Bright Sheng
Seven Tunes Heard in China, for Cello Solo
I. Seasons (Qinghai, China)
II. Guessing Song (Yunnan, China)
III. The Little Cabbage (Hebei, China)
IV. The Drunken Fisherman (Classical)
V. Diu Diu Dang (Taiwan, China)
VI. Pastoral Ballade (Inner Mongolia, China)
VII. Tibetan Dance (Xizang, China)

Ludwig van Beethoven
Cello Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op.102, No.2
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio con molto sentimento d’affetto
III. Allegro

SAMIT Event Group is thrilled to present a classical music concert under the auspices of the Embassy of Italy to the UAE & the Embassy of Switzerland to the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain, as part of the ‘VIP Classical – Cultural Music Circle’ series! Featuring UK cellist Alexander Chaushian alongside Italian pianist Enrico Pace, this event will be taking place at Dubai Opera Studio in Downtown Dubai, showcasing the full virtuosity of these two acclaimed maestros. 

Widely regarded as one of the finest cellists of his generation, Chaushian is a laureate prize winner of many international competitions including the 12th International Tchaikovsky Competition, and the ARD Competition in Germany. He has performed extensively throughout the world with orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, and the Armenian Philharmonic, appearing in such venues as the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Wigmore Hall, Sala Verdi, Konzerthaus, and Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he is the Artistic Director of the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival and the Yerevan Music Festival.

Pace, for his part, marked the beginning of his international career with victory at the 1989 Utrecht International Franz Liszt Piano Competition. Since then, the pianist has performed with major orchestras such as the Royal Concertgebouw, Munich Philharmonic, BBC Philharmonic, Orchestra of Santa Cecilia Rome, Hungarian National Philharmonic, Brussels Philharmonic, the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras, Warsaw Philharmonic, G. Verdi Orchestra Milan and the Filarmonica Toscanini Parma, to mention a few. He has recorded multiple lauded CDs, going on to win a Grammy Award nomination in 2013, among other accolades. 

On this occasion, the duo will put forward a curated selection of seminal historic and contemporary pieces composed for these two instruments, celebrating their rich history in what promises to be an enchanting and memorable evening for all!

PROGRAMME

Claude Debussy

Sonata 

 Ludwig van Beethoven

Sonata A major 

INTERMISSION

Arthur Mattli

Kleine Erzählung (Mică poveste)

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Vocalise 

César Franck

Sonata A major