New York Philharmonic to honor Chinese philanthropist

For 13 years, Chinese-American philanthropist Angela Chen has been a staunch supporter of the New York Philharmonic's popular Chinese New Year concert.

The philharmonic is set to celebrate Spring Festival and the Year of the Snake, which marks one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac, at its annual gala on Feb 11, 2025.

The event will honor Chen, a board member and co-chair of the orchestra's International Advisory Board. Chen, who started the orchestra's New Year concert tradition, has spent decades promoting Chinese music and culture abroad as a Chinese-American philanthropist working "behind the scenes". Chen will be the first Chinese American to receive the honor at the philharmonic.

Unlike traditional musicians, Chen uses her business skills to support the New York Philharmonic, which is the oldest orchestra of its kind in the US, through fundraising, attracting local and international business entrepreneurs and leaders together, turning the Chinese New Year concert into one of the orchestra's key annual events. Her work has helped bring broader recognition to Chinese New Year and Chinese culture with not only traditions and diversity but also ancient and modern cultures.

"Concerts are a mainstream platform that local US people can easily engage with, naturally sparking their interest in learning more about Chinese culture," Chen told China Daily in an exclusive interview.

"I hope this concert brings together traditional and modern music, showing more people the beauty and depth of Chinese culture. I'd love for it to become a lasting tradition in mainstream American society."

"We don't just present mainstream Chinese music; we also include music from ethnic minorities to show China's diversity and inclusiveness," she said. "Sharing Chinese culture helps more people understand China and builds deeper connections between China and the US."

Musical exchanges like the Philadelphia Orchestra's visit to China in 1973 have helped strengthen US-China relations and "even now, despite the challenges in US-China relations, events like concerts can still play a positive role", Chen added.

Besides musical elements, Chen said she wanted to incorporate more Chinese traditions, such as lion dances, dragon dances, Chinese calligraphy, and zodiac-themed balloon decorations, creating an immersive experience for the audience.

Music helps people abroad better understand Chinese culture while also allowing Chinese people to experience foreign culture through symphony, she said.

"Chinese New Year embodies the values of family reunion, respect for elders, and mutual affection. Through the Chinese New Year concert, we hope to help more Americans understand the traditional values of Chinese culture," Chen said.

Usually working behind the scenes, Chen said she felt proud to receive the award not for fame but for the recognition of her efforts to bridge cultural gaps. She also hoped to see more members of the younger generation joining her.

"Chinese communities abroad should stick together more to have a stronger voice," she said. "Being proud of our own culture will also help us gain more recognition and respect from others."

mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com