Eastern Classical

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BBC Radio 4 - Eastern Classical

Musician Mark Seow traces tensions between his Asian heritage and Western classical music.

Mark Seow asks how musicians with East Asian heritage fit into the world of Western classical music – and explores his own journey as a Chinese-Malaysian-British Baroque violinist.

In 2023, East Asian musicians have never been more prominent in western classical music. But it’s not a simple case of East Asian musicians being welcomed onto the world stage, a glorious coming of age. Their emergence has come with much judgement, and European critics have bolstered many racist stereotypes in the process.  

Mark Seow examines the clichés and truths that East Asian musicians face and, in the process, attempts to make sense of his own story.

Speaking to a range of musicians with East Asian heritage in the UK, Europe, Japan and Malaysia, Mark tells the real story of East Asian musical achievements and influence in the 21st century. 

With contributions from: Maxine Kwok, LSO; Eunsley Park, London Philharmonia; Dr Maiko Kawabata, Royal College of Music and the Open University; Augustin Lusson, The Beggar’s Ensemble; Professor Daniel Leech Wilkinson, KCL; Dr David Chin, Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia and Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra; Masaaki Suzuki, founder of Bach Collegium Japan; and Alex Ho, composer and co-founder of Tangram. With thanks to Thomas Cressy.

Presenter: Mark Seow
Producer: Leonie Thomas
Executive Producer: Steven Rajam
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 4

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