UC graduate honors Fulbright 80th, U.S 250th with concert in Poland

The Fulbright Program was founded in 1946 to promote educational and cultural exchange as a means to foster global peace and American prosperity. Over the decades, nearly 450,000 U.S. and global students, academics, artists and scientists have participated in the exchange.

Li (Doctor of Musical Arts, 2025) is one of 19 University of Cincinnati students to be awarded one of the prestigious Fulbright grants in the past five years.

Li chose Warsaw as his Fulbright destination and has spent the last year in “immersive exploration” of Warsaw, studying with Aleksandr Kościów at the preeminent Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, researching music manuscripts at the National Library of Poland and walking the city to inspire his composition, String Quartet No. 2, "Tales from Warsaw.”

“I came to Poland as a composer trained in the American contemporary classical tradition, and my musical language is quite different from much of what is common in Poland and Europe,” Li said. “Professor Kościów created a welcoming environment where I could share my ideas while also learning about Polish musical traditions and current trends. … The experience broadened my artistic outlook while helping me remain true to my own musical voice.”

“The three-movement work is inspired by various landmarks and historic sites in Warsaw, including the Old Town, St. Francis Church, and the Palace of Culture and Science,” Li said.  

These locations evoke different aspects of Warsaw’s complex history and culture, from its medieval origins to its spiritual heritage and its Soviet-era modern history.

“One of the biggest influences on the piece was the Palace of Culture and Science. … I came to appreciate its immense scale and presence. It quite literally looms over both the city and the people around it, which made a powerful impression on me.

“Of course, the building remains historically controversial and carries complex associations, particularly for older generations of Poles. At the same time, younger generations often have a different relationship with it, seeing it as an important cultural, educational, and social center. … Ultimately, I wanted the music to portray the resilience of the Polish people.”

String Quartet No. 2, “Tales from Warsaw,” had its world premiere on March 20, 2026, at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw as part of Kościów’s composition class concert, which featured works by several emerging Polish composers along with Li’s quartet. American Fulbright grantees and members of the U.S. Embassy were among the attendees.

A second performance is scheduled for June 12 at Polish Radio, the national public access radio of Poland, among the many worldwide celebrations showcasing America’s 250^th anniversary and the 80^th anniversary of the Fulbright Program. A Fulbright graduation ceremony will take place at the U.S. Embassy.

Li is committed to bringing Tales from Warsaw to American audiences and is finalizing details for future presentations and lectures about his experience. He is also producing a documentary-style video that explores Warsaw and the inspirations for his composition; the documentary will be accessible on his website.