Chicago’s Chinese Fine Arts Society (CFAS) in partnership with the Chicago Public Library is pleased to announce Melodies of Love and Loss, a free concert to be held on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 2:00 PM at the Harold Washington Library Center’s Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State Street.

Bringing together some of Chicago’s leading musicians, this special concert showcases music composed by both known and emerging Chinese composers. Curated by Yuan-Qing Yu, assistant concertmaster of Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the program is inspired by and is an aural accompaniment to the wonderful stories of Gold Boy, Emerald Girl by Yiyun Li, the latest selection for Chicago’s citywide book club, One Book, One Chicago.

Throughout April, the Chicago Public Library and its program partners offer a variety of events celebrating the book and the people it portrays, including an appearance by author Yiyun Li on April 19th at the Harold Washington Library Center. One Book, One Chicago is presented by the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Allstate and BMO Harris. For more information and a full list of programs visit www.onebookonechicago.org.

Featured performers include pipa virtuoso Yang Wei, as well as Jessica Warren, flute; Mabel Kwan on piano; Elizandro Garcia-Montoya, clarinet; Dominic Johnson, viola; Mabel Kwan, piano; Aurelien Pederzoli, Jaime Gorgojo, violin; Anna Steinhoff, cello.

The program will include:

Dragon Boat: Traditional
Chou Wen Chung: Cursive for Flute and piano
Huang Ruo: Being for Clarinet and Viola
Tan Dun: C.A.G.E for piano
Lei Liang: Five Seasons for pipa quintet
Vivian Fung: Miniatures for Clarinet and String quartet
And, as part of our Migratory Journeys World Premiere series: Bin Li: My Hometown Far Away for Piano

About the Chinese Fine Arts Society: For 27 years, this professional, small, fully- independent arts organization has brought together people from diverse backgrounds over a common goal: to celebrate the beauty and majesty of traditional and contemporary Chinese music and art. CFAS is dedicated to promoting the appreciation of Chinese culture, enhancing cultural exchange and pursuing excellence in Chinese music, dance and visual arts.

Funding for these concerts are provided, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council, City Arts Grants, and SMART Growth and the Arts Work Fund initiatives of the Chicago Community Trust and Affiliates.

About the book: Gold Boy, Emerald Girl includes nine expertly written short stories set in modern China. Through Yiyun Li’s unforgettable characters, we learn about a country and a people who are not so different from us. Li’s stories—whether about a young girl navigating life in the army or a group of widows who start a private investigation agency—offer a rich and varied portrait of China, and will resonate with Chicago’s readers. Discussions and events take place throughout April, including a conversation with Yiyun Li and Chicago author Achy Obejas at the Harold Washington Library Center on April 19. Visit your library and check out a copy of Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, take part in a discussion or attend any number of programs or performances. To learn more, inquire at your local library or visit www.onebookonechicago.org.

For further information about the Chinese Fine Arts Society or the above concerts, contact 312-369-3197 or [email protected].