ArcoStrum
Strauss Shi, violin
TY Zhang, guitar
ArcoStrum brings together violinist Strauss Shi and classical guitarist TY Zhang, who also double on the Chinese erhu, dizi (bamboo flute), and electric guitar. They seamlessly combine Eastern and Western cultures—from reimagined Chinese folk songs to famous classical pieces—while bringing the energy of contemporary rock. ArcoStrum’s innovative program offers an immersive, movie-like experience and promises a transformative musical journey that crosses cultures and generations.
Program
ARCOSTRUM
ArcoStrum Overture [7']
ANTONIO VIVALDI
Summer from The Four Seasons, arr. ArcoStrum (1723) [4']
III. Presto
Winter from The Four Seasons, arr. David Galvez (1723) [5']
I. Allegro non molto
ZHIHUI LI
Ink Orchid Pavilion 水墨兰亭, arr. ArcoStrum (2011) [4’]
HAIHUAI HUANG
Horse Racing 赛⻢, arr. ArcoStrum (1959) [3’]
RADAMES GNATTALI
Suite Retratos, arr. ArcoStrum (1958) [5']
IV. Chiquinha Gonzaga (Corta Jaca)
JOHN WILLIAMS
Theme from Schindler’s List, arr. ArcoStrum (1993) [4’]
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
Primavera Porteña (Buenos Aires Spring), arr. ArcoStrum (1969) [5’]
BILL WITHERS / GROVER WASHINGTON JR.
Just the Two of Us, arr. ArcoStrum (1980) [4’]
JOSEPH KOSMA
Autumn Leaves, arr. ArcoStrum (1945) [4’]
DJANGO REINHARDT / STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI
Minor Swing, arr. ArcoStrum (1937) [4']
KATONA TWINS
Michael Jackson meets Scarlatti, arr. ArcoStrum (2024) [4’]
Program is subject to change.
ArcoStrum's American Story
Violinist Strauss Shi and guitarist TY Zhang both came to the U.S. from China in pursuit of musical possibility. They met at Juilliard, where their artistic kinship took shape, and formed a duo that treats the violin and guitar not as fixed traditions but as instruments of boundless reinvention. Strauss immigrated at six, his name — honoring Johann Strauss II — a bridge between East and West. TY began in Beijing and came to Juilliard on full scholarship after a transformative masterclass with Sharon Isbin. Their partnership found early advocacy from Concert Artists Guild, which recognized their unique creative voice.
“All of our lives, we could never quite fit in,” they reflect. “Now instead of trying to fit in, we are making something new for ourselves.”
More America 250 Performances
