By: Rebecca W.
As we move through December of 2025, the pace of the musical world continues unabated. Yet, certain performances stand out as cherished milestones in an artist’s journey. For violist Xue Ding, one such notable memory is her distinguished role as Principal Viola with the New York State Symphony Orchestra Musicians at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall on November 12, 2023. Led by conductor and pianist Stefano Miceli, a professor at Adelphi University and a Steinway Artist, the evening was a collaborative triumph that remains a highlight in her career.
This was not Xue Ding’s first encounter with Carnegie Hall. Her history with the venue began with her debut in 2014, performing William Walton’s Viola Concerto with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta. She returned in 2016 to perform Hindemith’s Der Schwanendreher with the same ensemble and later that year won the Golden Classical Music Awards, performing Paganini’s Caprice No. 5. In 2019, she performed with the Manhattan School of Music orchestra during its prestigious Centennial Concert. These cumulative experiences made her 2023 appearance a meaningful homecoming in a new leadership role within a professional orchestral setting.
The 2023 program moved from Grieg’s From Holberg’s Time to Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3, culminating in Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo capriccioso featuring violinist Kerson Leong. At its heart was the U.S. Premiere of The Silence of Mount Minshan by composer Xiaogang Ye.
Xiaogang Ye: An International Voice with Deep Roots
Xiaogang Ye (b. 1955) is a towering figure in contemporary music. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, his works have been performed by leading ensembles worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra. His honors include the 2012 Guggenheim Foundation Composer Award and commissions from major foundations. He also holds prestigious global appointments, serving as the International Chair in Composition at the Royal Northern College of Music and as an International Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Adding to the significance of the evening, Ye himself was present at Carnegie Hall to witness this U.S. Premiere of his contemplative tone poem, a work that has since been recorded by the Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stefan Malzew and released by Naxos. His music is characterized by structural sophistication, evocative power, and a profound narrative sense, often exploring themes of history and landscape.
Kerson Leong: A Virtuoso’s Spark
The concert’s second half featured violinist Kerson Leong, a prodigious talent who first captivated the world by winning the International Menuhin Competition at age 13. Known for his remarkable technique, crystalline tone, and interpretative intelligence, Leong’s performance of the Saint-Saëns was a memorable tour de force. His electrifying synergy with Maestro Miceli and the orchestra provided an unforgettable jolt of energy.
A Lasting Impression: The Viola’s Voice in Concert
For Xue Ding, this diverse program required versatile knowledge and deep stylistic understanding. Leading the viola section in the Respighi demanded clarity and warmth; in the Grieg, rhythmic vitality; and in the Saint-Saëns, precise accompaniment. The centerpiece, however, was Xiaogang Ye’s The Silence of Mount Minshan. “The piece required a different kind of listening and energy,” she recalls. “It was about sustaining a collective presence. The viola’s role was to be the connective tissue—adding warmth and sometimes emerging with a brief, plaintive song. Achieving that seamless blend was our main goal.” Being part of its U.S. Premiere, with the composer in attendance, added a unique layer of historical responsibility to the artistic endeavor.
Reflecting from the vantage point of late 2025, Xue Ding views that evening as a richly fulfilling musical experience. “What stays with me is the feeling of coming back and making more memories on this world-renowned stage,” she notes. “The deep focus for the Ye premiere, the intricate work of the Respighi, and the partnership with Kerson Leong were a masterful lesson in an orchestra’s range. Having performed at Carnegie as a soloist and orchestral musician, this role as a principal player felt like a natural and rewarding progression. It connected the threads of my journey.”
Her role as Principal Viola was pivotal throughout. “Nights like that are why we do this,” she adds. “The memory is of the tangible connection in the ensemble, the shared purpose in presenting something new, and the silent moment before the applause at the end. It’s a very cherished memory, one that continues to inspire.”
That 2023 Carnegie Hall concert stands as a testament to collaborative artistry. For Xue Ding, her leadership in the viola section remains a proud and defining moment—a resonant memory of contribution that continues to inform her path forward.
