Overview
At a Glance
Founded by and featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Ensemble is a collective of internationally renowned performers and composers from more than 20 countries whose innovative performances spring from Eastern and Western traditions and contemporary musical crossroads. The music in this program reflects the diversity of this exceptional group of musicians, ranging from China to India, from Persia to Europe to the Americas.
This concert is sponsored by the Akron Community Foundation.
Program Details
THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE
with Yo-Yo Ma
Caronte
by Cristina Pato (b. 1980)
Ascending Bird
Persian Traditional
arranged by Siamak Aghaei and Colin Jacobsen
Wine Madness
by Ruan Ji (210-263)
arranged by Wu Tong and Liu Lin
Air to Air
by Osvaldo Golijov (b. 1960)
1. Wah Habbibi
2. Aiini Taqtiru
3. K'in Sventa Ch'ul Me'tik Kwadalupe
4. Tancas Serradas a Muru
INTERMISSION
The Taranta Project
by Giovanni Sollima (b. 1962)
Shristi
by Sandeep Das (b. 1970)
Ambush from Ten Sides
Traditional
arranged by Li Cang Sang and Wu Tong
The Artists
About the Silk Road Project
The Silk Road Project is a nonprofit arts and educational organization with a vision of connecting the world’s neighborhoods by bringing together artists and audiences around the globe. Founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 1998 as a catalyst to promote innovation and learning through the arts, the Silk Road Project takes inspiration from the historic Silk Road trading route as a modern metaphor for multicultural and interdisciplinary exchange. Under the artistic direction of Mr. Ma, the Silk Road Project presents performances by the Silk Road Ensemble, a renowned collective of performers from around the world; engages in cross-cultural exchanges and residencies; leads workshops for students; and partners with leading cultural institutions to create educational materials and programs.
For more information, please visit the Silk Road Project website.
About the Silk Road Ensemble
The Silk Road Ensemble is a collective of internationally renowned musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers from more than 20 countries. Each Ensemble member’s career illustrates a unique response to what is one of the artistic challenges of our times: nourishing global connections while maintaining the integrity of art rooted in authentic tradition. Many of the musicians first came together under the artistic direction of Yo-Yo Ma at a workshop at Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts in 2000. Since then, in various configurations, Ensemble artists have collaborated on a diverse range of musical and multimedia projects, presenting innovative performances that explore the relationship between tradition and innovation in music from the East and West. The Silk Road Ensemble has recorded four albums and performed to critical acclaim throughout Asia, Europe, and North America.
The Silk Road Ensemble is making its Blossom Festival debut with this performance.
