The internationally recognized musical duo of violinist Minghuan Xu and her fiancé, pianist Winston Choi, will perform four compositions written in the past year and other fresh works at a Feb. 25 concert sponsored by New Music DePaul. The free, public event begins at 8 p.m. at the DePaul Concert Hall, 800 W. Belden Ave.

Xu and Choi, who perform together as Duo Diorama, will present works by Marcos Balter, Elliott Carter, Andrew List, William Karlins and Mischa Zupko, as well as compositions by Kurt Westerberg, chair of musicianship studies and composition at DePaul, and George Flynn, a distinguished DePaul music school faculty member emeritus.

Under the direction of Flynn, New Music DePaul celebrates its 16th season this year. Flynn launched the series to showcase the innovative works of contemporary composers. Nationally recognized for his own compositions, Flynn has received the prestigious American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award annually for his works during the last decade.

A rising talent, Xu delights audiences with her passion, incredible technique, sensitivity and charisma. A native of Beijing, China, she began playing violin at the age of five. She has received numerous awards for her artistry, including top prizes at the Midland-Odessa National Young Artist Competition, the Samuel & Elinor Thaviu String Scholarship Competition and the Northwestern University and Interlochen concerto competitions (the latter she won twice).

In addition to concerts with Choi, Xu performs extensively as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster in China and across the United States. As a member of the Massanetto String Quartet, she was appointed in 2000 to a residency at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. A champion of contemporary music, she has commissioned new works from emerging composers and collaborated with William Bolcom and Richard Wernick. Future projects also involve a collaboration with Elliott Carter on his “Duo for Violin and Piano.” Xu is in the doctoral program at Stony Brook University.

Choi is a dynamic and inquisitive performer known for his fresh approach to the standard repertory. He has a masterful understanding, performance approach and commitment to works by living composers. Choi has performed in recital and with orchestras around the world. His CD debut of the complete piano works of Elliott Carter received a rave review from BBC Music Magazine. He recently finished the first of three recordings of the piano works of French composer Jacques Lenot, and he soon will record Bach’s “Art of the Fugue” for the Arktos label.

A core member of Brave New Works, a contemporary music group committed to premiering and commissioning the works of young composers, Choi has collaborated closely with some of today’s most innovative composers, including Carter, Flynn, Karlins and Balcom as well as Leslie Bassett, Brian Ferneyhough, Sven-David Sandstrom, Bright Sheng, Christian Wolff and John Zorn. He gave the North American premiere of Pierre Boulez’s 2001 version of “Incises” and the South American premiere of Luciano Berio’s 2001 “Sonata for Piano.” Choi earned master’s and bachelor’s degrees at Indiana University, studying with Menahem Pressler. He is currently a doctoral student at Northwestern University.

The next New Music DePaul concert will be presented May 20 at 8 p.m. at the DePaul Concert Hall. For more information about music events at DePaul, call the DePaul School of Music at (773) 325-7260.