In 1956, just a year before China fell into political chaos, she returned to Europe to be with her father in order to pursue further music education.
The only exception is Yi, a suite for one marimba with two players, in which she recalled folk tunes heard in her Chinese years.
It is a moving piece, dedicated to her mother, whom Tona probably was not able to meet for three decades due to the political situation[vague].
Several recordings of Tona's works have been commercially issued, but today only Lo for trombone and strings, and Shen for six percussionists, can be found on CD, despite all her music being available in print.
Her publishers include Universal Edition, Boosey & Hawkes, Alfred Peschek and Amphion.