About

Musique Royale presents Tong Wang at Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance Friday February 20 at 7pm for “Towards the Flame”. “Towards the Flame” is a program of darkness and light, of fire and ice. From Chopin and Scriabin’s tragic epics, transfused with dignity and pain, to Ho and Stravinsky’s kaleidoscopic, mystical fairytales, the music traverses through many realms of extraordinary intensity and anguish. Each of these works contain a unique universe of their own, but they all come down to the same shared human pathos: the duality of suffering and hope, grief and joy–the coexistence of hope and despair, shadow and light. There’s a musical journey that parallels the emotional journey we often find ourselves repeating in our lives. Even knowing the pain that is inevitable with love, tenderness, and vulnerability, how must we face and embrace our struggles, limitations, and fears? How can we come to terms with the darkest moments we want to redefine? Do we dare to raise ourselves to the light? Ultimately, “Towards the Flame” is a story of courage, belief, and acceptance.

About The Artists

Tong Wang is a Canadian pianist recognized for her innovative contributions to performance, research, and community engagement. Her work investigates the intersection of art with identity, culture, and contemporary issues. Tong’s performance highlights include collaborations with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Red Deer Symphony Orchestra, and ensembles throughout North America and Europe. A versatile artist, she has spearheaded the creation of a new horror anime opera “Labyrinth of Tears” alongside research into the aesthetics of “cuteness” in music, supported by the Canada Council, FRQSC, and SSHRC doctoral grants. Tong’s recent projects have explored multiculturalism, diaspora identity, and climate issues, including her solo tour “我们Us” in Lunenburg, Montreal, Basel, Verbier, and her tour with DoSi, “Homecoming”, “Wanting to Start Again”, and “Dark Tales” across Canada, US, and eastern Europe. In 2022, she co-founded the Windwood Music Festival in Airdrie, Alberta to bring classical chamber music to rural communities. In the past seasons, she performed with Barbara Hannigan, Lyrica Baroque, Xenia Concerts, and toured with the Wang-Dietz duo in China. In the upcoming seasons, Tong will be touring solo recitals with Debut Atlantic (2025/26) and Prairie Debut (2026/27). Tong is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and the Schulich School of Music. She continues to embark on. solo and chamber tours across North America, Europe, and Asia, showcasing her dedication to fostering global connections through art.

Program Details

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) – Piano Sonata No. 5 in G major, K.283 (14 min).

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35 (21 min).

Alice Ping Yee Ho (1960 -) – A Manic Ride Through Lollipop Hell (10 min).

Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) - Piano Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 6 (21 min).

Alexander Scriabin – Vers la Flamme, Op.72 (6 min).

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) /Guido Agosti (1901-1989) - Firebird (12min).