Classical push of China's musicians towards the West

"We were very excited when the date of the show was set. This is the first time we will present top Chinese composers' new works at the famous venue. For the American audience, they will get a taste of Chinese music," says conductor Chen after a rehearsal in Beijing.

Chen, who began to learn the piano in childhood, obtained her master's degree from the conservatory in 2003.

The show for premiering new works by Chinese composers will become an annual event to be held in Beijing, New York and Austria, which "is just like unveiling the latest looks during the fashion week", Chen says.

Recitative for Chinese Gong by composer Guo Wenjing is among the works to be staged in New York this month. Guo wrote the piece in November, and it will have a percussionist playing the traditional instrument gong－eight gongs, each with its own sound range－along with other Chinese and Western instruments.

"This piece is a sacred rite. Along with special effects in the ensemble, the exquisite monologue on a single gong can lead one back to the ancient times," says Guo, 61, a professor of composition at the Beijing conservatory.

"I've been trying to discover more sounds produced by traditional Chinese instruments for decades because I believe that the potential of such instruments has been underestimated."