Music and songs from “Shanghai Sonatas,” with concept and music by Sean X. Gao, will be performed at the China Institute on Nov. 3. Credit: Shanghai Sonatas
Among the Jews who escaped Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 40s were more than 200 of Europe’s leading classical musicians. During their time in China, part of it spent living under Japanese occupation, they taught classical music to the locals, and their influence is said to live on today among the millions of Chinese and people of Chinese descent who carry on the tradition of Western classical music. Selected music and songs from “Shanghai Sonatas,” a musical based on the memoirs of the Jewish musicians, comes to the China Institute, 40 Rector St., on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. Go here for more information on “Shanghai Sonatas” and here to purchase tickets.