Music In Life – Spring 2025

Classical Music For the World

In Collaboration with Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple

presents

Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple 6720 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731

Classical Music For the World’s “Music in Life” is a lively, interactive, and open discussion on how life is reflected in musical compositions, while live music performances are presented and stories are shared by the guest musicians and speakers. When our emotions tell us that we need to shout out our troubled feelings, we can find these intense expressions in music that speak for us. When we are sad and seek comfort, we can find music that soothes our troubled souls. We can also use music to reflect our joys, triumphs, and happiness as we figuratively march in step to its triumphant rhythms. In short, life can be found in music, and music is reflected in life. In this program, attendees will discuss these topics and how we can merge these comparable mediums of music and life.

Discussions can span a wide range of topics, including nature, humanity, history, art, philosophy, religion, culture, science, technology, current issues, the future, and beyond. The program can also include film screenings and exhibitions.

PROGRAM

Part I – Sounds of the World: Music without Boundaries – Venerable Jue Ji, Xiang Yun Temple Director

- - Chanting – Venerable Jue Ji
  - Dharma Instruments Demonstration – Xiang Yun Temple youth group
  - “Chanting and the Mind” talk by Venerable Jue Ji
  - Open Discussion

Part II – My Music, My Life – Guitar & Cello: Noemi Passiatore and Francesco Mastromatteo

- - II Tuo Sorriso/In Your Smile by Joseph Tusiani (1924–2020)
  - Cinematic Love Themes by Ennio Morricone (1928–2020)
  - “Music beyond Music” talk by Francesco Mastromatteo
  - Open Discussion

Part III – My Music from Mexico to America – Andrés Hernández, bassist

- - Manuel M. Ponce (1882-1948): Estrellita -Andrés Hernández, bass & Joseph Choi, piano

ABOUT GUEST MUSICIANS AND SPEAKERS

Venerable Jue Ji, Director of Fo Guang Shan Xiang Yun Temple
Venerable Jue Ji was born in Taipei, Taiwan and became a Buddhist monastic in 1990
at Fo Guang Shan monastery, tonsured by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Since then,
she has dedicated herself to learning and spreading Humanistic Buddhism in her
assignments in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the United States. Initially studying English
Literature for an Undergraduate at Catholic Fu Jen University in Taipei, she later went
on to earn her PhD degree in the study of Contemporary Chinese Buddhism at Hong
Kong University in 2008. There, she expanded and deepened her vision of the original
intent of the Buddha and vowed to follow the footsteps of Venerable Master Hsing Yun,
the founder of Fo Guang Shan, to spread Buddha Dharma all over the world. Currently,
she serves at Xiang Yun Temple in Austin, Texas, where she works to localize
Buddhism in the United States through acculturation and integration of Buddhism in the
East and the West. Based on a solid faith in the oneness and coexistence of all beings,
she also actively involves herself in outreach projects, such as interfaith dialogues,
community service, and educational and cultural programs, to deliver the message of
harmony and peace to all.

Francesco Mastromatteo, cellist
Described as a “virtuosic and passionate musician” by the Dallas Morning News,
Italian-born cellist Francesco Mastromatteo regularly performs throughout Italy with varied
European countries and the USA. He is currently a Professor of Chamber Music at the
Conservatory “U. Giordano” – Residency of Rodi Garganico, as the founding member, Francesco
Mastromatteo has been appointed as the Artistic Advisor and Artist-in-Residence of the non-
profit organization Classical Music for the World (CMFW), based in Austin, Texas. From 2008 to
2013, he was the Artistic Director of the Spring of Harmony Concert Series held at St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church in Dallas. Dr. Mastromatteo performed J.S. Bach’s solo suites in the US and Italy at the prestigious Ravenna Festival (2009). He a;so performes as a soloist with orchestras and maintains a busy international schedule as a chamber musician.
Francesco Mastromatteo holds an Artist Diploma and a Master in Performance from Southern
Methodist University in Dallas and completed his Doctoral Degree in Cello Performance at the
Butler School of Music of the University of Texas at Austin in 2012.

Andrés Hernández, bassist
Andrés Hernández, originally from Puebla, Mexico, is the newly appointed Low
Strings Adjunct Instructor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. He holds a Master of
Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied under the
guidance of Joel Braun. Andrés has participated in prestigious music festivals, including La Via dei Concerti, The Next Festival, and the Texas Music Festival. He has also received master classes from renowned double bass instructors such as Paul Ellison, Mica Howard, Eugene
Levinson, and Jeremy Kurtz. In his orchestral career, Andrés has had the privilege of collaborating with world-renowned musicians like Plácido Domingo, Joshua Bell, and Alim Gasimov. He also has performed under the baton of distinguished conductors such as Valery Gergiev, Mei-Ann Chen, Hans Graf, and Eugene Kohn. Beyond his performance career, Andrés is a dedicated educator and composer. He teaches music and double bass at the University of Texas at Austin String Project, and is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma Certificate at the same institution, supported by the Butler Excellence Scholarship

Noemi Passiatore, guitarist
Noemi Passiatore, an Italian guitarist, is a Professor of Classical Guitar at the Liceo Musicale “F. De Sanctis” of Cervinara, She is establishing her artistic profile around particular research on the quality of historical sound of the classical guitar. She obtained a Master's Degree in Guitar Performance from the Conservatorio “U. Giordano” of Foggia and the Conservatorio “A. Boito” of Parma, studying with G. Bandini. She is now enrolled in a further Master's Program at the Conservatorio “D. Cimarosa” of Avellino.

Joseph Choi, pianist
Joseph Choi, a Korean-American musician, holds a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard
School, where he studied under Jerome Lowenthal and Matti Raekallio. He obtained his
Doctorate of Musical Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees from the University of Texas at Austin
under the guidance of Anton Nel. Currently, he serves as a Teaching Artist/Pianist for Austin
Opera, Pianist for Conspirare, Organist for St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, and Staff
Accompanist for Huston-Tillotson University.