| "Wild China" – series
starts on BBC 2: Sunday, 11 May, 2008 Cheng Yu and the UK Chinese Ensemble musicians worked with composer Barnaby Taylor to create music for this 6 part TV documentary for BBC 2. It will be shown on Sunday evenings on BBC2. 11th
May –
Episode
1: Heart of the Dragon18th May – Episode 2: Shangri-La 25th May – Episode 3: Tibet 1st June – Episode 4: Beyond the Great Wall 8th June – Episode 5: Land of the Panda 15th June – Episode 6: Tides of Change See the Projects page for more information. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Film Music Recording
– The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor: May, 2008 The musicians from the UK Chinese Ensemble have once again been working with US composer Randy Edelman on another major Hollywood film – The Mummy. This is the fourth film music project on which our musicians have worked with the same composer. The music is significant in the film and “is longer then the actual film, with over 140 minutes music’ said Randy. This Hollywood major blockbuster action film will be released on 1 August to coincide the China Olympic 2008. Starring: Jet Li, Maria Bello, Brendan Fraser, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Russell Wong, Luke Ford, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, Isabella Leong, Tian Liang See the Music recorded for films and TV for more information. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cheng Yu pipa
recital
at Oxford
University: 23 May, 2008 Cheng Yu has been invited to give a pipa recital for the exhibition "Heaven on Earth: Missionaries and the Mathematical Arts in 17th century Beijing" Venue: Museum of the History of Science University of Oxford Broad Street Oxford OX1 3AZ Time: 6:00–8:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Trio – China
Day at the Horniman Museum: Sunday, 25 May, 2008 Venue: Horniman Museum 100 London Road Forest Hill London SE23 IPQ Times: Performance 1: Gallery Square, contemporary music, 12–2pm Performance 2: The Conservatory (concert) 2:00–4.30pm Tickets: Free of charge, Tel. 020 86991872, email info@horniman.ac.uk, website www.horniman.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String Trio,
1:00-200pm, Reading University: Tuesday 27 May, 2008 Venue: Van Emden Theatre (HUMSS) The University of Reading Whiteknights Reading Berkshire RG6 6AA Further information: Tel. 0118 378 5256, website http://www.rdg.ac.uk/music |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Second Glance
Festival – Chinese Music Special The Yin-Yang Chinese-Western Ensemble (UK Chinese Ensemble and the Chamber Music Company) Contemporary music by Chinese and non-Chinese composers Date: May/June 2008 (TBC) Venue: (TBC) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet Concert – Spitalfields Festival, London: 6 June 2008 Venues: WORKSHOP Brady Arts and Community Centre 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU Time: 11am–12pm CONCERT Wilton’s Music Hall Grace’s Alley Wellclose Square London E1 8JB Pre-concert Chinese Tea Ceremony: 6-6.30pm Concert: 6:45–7:45 pm Ticket Information: 020 7377 1362, email: tickets@spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk, website: www.spitalfieldsfestival.org.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet Concert: 7 June, 2008 Venue: St Mary’s Church Ashford, Kent TN30 6TJ Opening Time: 7:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UKCE and Grand Union
Orchestra, Spitalfields Festival: 7.30pm 18 June, 2008 Our Chinese musicians have been collaborating with Grand Union to present performances combining Eastern and Western musical elements. Venue: Christ Church, Commercial Street London E1 6LY Spitalfields Festival: 020 7377 1365 Time: 7.30pm, 18 June, 2008 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Music & Dance
performance, Chinese Conference, Beckton: 21 June, 2008 Venue: Kingsford Community School and Language College Kingsford Way Beckton London E6 5JG Tel: 020 7476 4700 Time: 10:00-11:00am, 21 June 2008 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese music
performance, Westminster: 23 June, 2008 Essex Jiangsu Festival 2008-2009 Launch House of Commons (invited guests) Palace of Westminster Time: 4:00-6:00pm 23 June |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk and
Bamboo Ensemble – Lunchtime concert: 3 July, 2008 Venue: Lancaster City Hall Time: 1:00–2:00pm Ticket Information: free of charge Tel: +44 (0)1524 582857, Email info@lancaster.gov.uk Web site: www.lancaster.gov.uk/artsdevelopment |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese Music and
Calligraphy workshops, Sydenham School, London: 4 July, 2008 Organised by Asian Music Circuit, there will be China Day classes on music, story telling and calligraphy to pupils of various ages. Sydenham School Dartmouth Road London SE26 4RD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet, Lycka Chambermusik Festival, Sweden: 9–11 July, 2008 The Quartet has been invited by the Swedish Chamber Music Festival to give concerts as well as workshops. Lycka Kammarmusik Festival Billa Solgården S-360 43 Åryd Sweden Details: www.lyckafestival.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monkey: Journey to
the West – an Opera-Circus Spectacular, London shows: 23–26 July, 2008 Following the successful sell-out tours in Manchester, Paris and the USA, this show comes to London’s Opera House for the first time since its launch in 2007. This multimedia production is directed by Mr Chen Shizheng, the music is by Damon Albarn (Blur front singer) and the digital arts are by Jamie Hewlett. Albarn and Hewlett are the artists behind the award-winning animated band Gorillaz. Venue: Royal Opera House Covent Garden London, WC2E 9DD 020 73044000 Times: Wed 23 July: 7.30pm Thurs July 24: 2.30pm and 7.30pm Fri 25 July: 2.30 and 7.30 Sat 26 July: 2.30 and 7.30pm www.royalopera.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String and
Bamboo Ensemble – Buxton Festival: 24 July, 2008 Venue: Buxton Festival 3, The Square Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6AZ Time: 10:00pm Ticket Information: £8, £10, £16, Box Office Phone: 0845 127 2190, Email: boxoffice@buxtonopera.co.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk & Bamboo
Ensemble, Stourhead Garden: 25–26 July, 2008 Invited by The National Trust, the Silk and Bamboo Ensemble will perform two concerts in the natural beauty of Stourheard Garden. Venue: The Pantheon Temple, Stourhead Garden The National Trust, Stourhead Estate Office, Stourhead Near Warminster Wilshire, BA12 6QD Time: 25 and 26 July, 7.30pm Details: www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese
Music Summer School (in partnership with Asian Music Circuit): 30 July
– 3 August, 2008 The Chinese Music Summer School has been running successfully since 2003, organised by Asia music circuit with musicians from the UK Chinese Music Ensemble. This year’s Chinese Music Summer School will give five full days of expert tuition on Chinese instrumental music. It will include master classes on the guqin (Chinese 7-string zither) with guqin master Professor Zeng Chengwei (Sichuan Conservatory of Music, China), pipa (Chinese lute) with pipa virtuoso Dr Cheng Yu, and erhu (Chinese fiddle) with erhu soloist Hu Bin. It will be a rare opportunity to learn and explore Chinese music in the UK. Classes are open to all takers, beginners and advanced. Please contact Ginger on 020 8742 9911 or email her at ginger@amc.org.uk. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet – Gwyl Pontardawe Festival, Wales: 15–16 August, 2008 Venue: Gwyl Pontardawe Festival Parc Ynysderw Pontardawe Leisure Centre Ffordd Parc Ynysderw Pontardawe Swansea SA8 4EG Time: 9:00am–10:00pm Ticket Information: 01792 830 200, Email: info@pontardawefestival.com, Website: www.pontardawefestival.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notting Hill
Carnival: 25 August, 2008 China has 56 different minorities, each with its own unique culture. For the 2008 Notting Hill Carnival, China Arts has invited 10 pairs of brides and grooms from China who will wear the beautiful traditional wedding costumes specific to their particular Chinese minority. As part of the carnival parade, the couples will skilfully perform different dances to express the great variety of Chinese culture. The performances will be accompanied by live traditional wedding music. Venue: Notting Hill Time: 10:00am–6:00pm Ticket Information: Free |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daoist music concerts
– SOAS, University London: 27–28 September, 2008 The Shanghai City God Monastery Daoist Music Ensemble Venue: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, School of Oriental and African Studies University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG Time: 7:00pm–9:00pm Ticket Information: contact Dept of Chinese Studies, SOAS on 020 7898 4892 or email Jane Savoy on js64@soas.ac.uk Please note the change of date. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daoist music concerts
– UK tour The Shanghai City God Monastery Daoist Music Ensemble Venues: TBD |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet and Matthew Barley - Tour and Concerts: 6–16 November, 2008 Venue: Various venues (TBC) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Silk and
Bamboo – Teahouse music: 3 April 2008 Venue: The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Quartet – Looking East Festival, concerts and workshops:
“In residence”, 4–6 April 2008 Venue: The Sage Gateshead St Mary's Square Gateshead Quays Gateshead, NE8 2JR |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Quartet –
Chinese Classical Music Concert: 14 March 2008 Venue: Younger Hall, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland KY16 9AL Time: Friday, March 14th, 7:30 pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A Dialogue between
Tradition
and Modernity: 12 March 2008 Free Lecture-demonstration on Chinese Music Speakers Maestro Yan Huichang (Artistic Director, Principle Conductor of Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra) with Dr Cheng Yu (Artistic Director, UK Chinese Music Ensemble, SOAS pipa and guqin teacher) Guest Musicians: Wong Ching (pipa) ,and Feng Siusin (vocal) Content A study of the heritage and evolution of traditional Chinese instrumental music through a comparison between traditional Chinese music ensembles and the full-sized modern Chinese orchestra. (Recordings and video will be shown) Venue: Room G52, SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H Time: Wednesday 12 March 2008, 2-4pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk & Bamboo
Trio – The British Museum:
10 March 2008 Venue: The Great Court British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 6:30am–9:00pm Web site: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Silk String Trio: 6
March 2008 Venue: The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 6.30pm–9:00pm Web site: www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK
Chinese Ensemble – The British Museum: 5th March 2008 Venue: The Great Court British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 6:30-9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bai Ling
Shadow Puppet Show Chinese New Year UK Tour, February 2008Invited by China Arts (UK), here was a rare opportunity to see the Bai Ling Shadow Box Show Troupe as they tour the UK for the first time during Chinese New Year February 2008. This is one of the finest Shadow groups in China. They had already performed in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, the United States, and Japan to a rapturous reception, and achieved extraordinary popularity there. Shadow puppet box shows first appeared in Beijing around the 15th century during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a popular traditional theatre genre that combines singing, acting and dramatic movement performed by characters exquisitely carved out of leather. All the characters are operated by highly skilled artists behind a screen with live musical accompaniment, which gives a colourful and vivid silhouette effect. The troupe brought a specially designed programme for both children and adults. It was great fun to watch and a privilege to be able to appreciate an authentic Chinese art. Dates: 3rd February: Harrow, London 8th February: South Bank International School: 13:00-13:30, 14:15-14:45 9th February: British Museum: 16:00-17:00, 20:00-21:00 (free) 9th February: Marylebone Theatre 10th February: Victoria and Albert Museum (daytime, free) 15th February: Ann Bernhardt Nursery School: 13:30-14:30 17th February: Tower Hendon (East London) 19th February: Foreign & Commonwealth Office: 19:00-20:00 ![]()
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet Concert: 8pm 29 February 2008 Venue: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Hope St. Liverpool L1 9BP Opening Time: 7:30 pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK Chinese Ensemble –
The British Museum: 27 February 2008 Venue: The Great Court British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 6:30 –9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Quartet Concert, China Week – Cambridge University: 6pm
Sunday, 24 February 2008 Venue: Clare Hall, University of Cambridge Time: All day |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sound
of China – ancient and modern (UK Chinese Music Ensemble 18 musicians):
22 February 2008 This concert was a high-profile talent showcase on a substantial scale by 12 of the best UK-based professional Chinese musicians performing collectively, including the award-winning group The Silk String Quartet. The concert demonstrated twenty different Chinese instruments, many of which are rarely heard or seen in the UK, such as the guqin zither, xun clay ocarina, and the xiao vertical bamboo flute. The concert also featured the 5-stringed pipa lute, which was lost in the Tang dynasty (8th century), and Cheng Yu who won three major British awards for her project to recreate this instrument with music based on that period. The evening will highlight music from the time and culture of the First Emperor. New compositions on contemporary Chinese instruments provided a present-day counterpoint to our presentation of early Chinese music. The concert was in two halves: the first featured music and instruments from ancient times; the second contemporary and new music. It included two premières “The King of Qin Destroys the Formation” – (5 stringed pipa with Chinese orchestra) and “Spring Festival Prelude”. Venue: BP Lecture Theatre Clore Education Centre The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Web site: British Museum web site Time: 7:30pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet Concert – Buxton Festival: 7.30pm, 19th February 2008 Venue: Buxton Festival 3, The Square Buxton Derbyshire SK17 6AZ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese New Year
Special at SOAS: 12 February 2008, 7:00pm New in its form and style, unique in its instrumentation and presentation, the all-female Silk String Quartet is the first and the only Chinese String Quartet in the UK and Europe. The four group members have all been trained since childhood on their instruments. The group combines traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way. The repertoire included a wide range of new and traditional compositions performed in the Quartet’s own style. Time: 7:00pm Venue: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre SOAS, University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square London WC1H 0XG Web site: www.soas.ac.uk/concerts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet - Chinese New Year Concert: 10 February 2008 Venue: Trinity Theatre Church Road Tunbridge Wells Kent, TN1 1JP Time: 12:00 noon – 10:00pm TWeb site: www.trinitytheatre.net |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese Music at the
British Museum’s China Day: 9 February 2008 Venue: The Great Court British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Opening Time: 10:00 am – 10:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk and Bamboo Ensemble concert: 6:30 – 7:30 pm, 8 February 2008 Venue: National Portrait Gallery St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE Time: 10:00am – 9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet – Southbank China Day Celebration: 8 February 2008 Part of an evening of celebrations at the Southbank Centre for Chinese New Year, this unique and beautiful quartet – featuring zithers, dulcimer, fiddles and lute – combined traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way. Venue: The Ballroom Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX Time: 6:15pm – 7:45pm Web site: www.southbank.co.uk Free entry |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Quartet –
Chinese New Year Concert: 7
February 2008
Venue: Richard Attenborough CentreUniversity of Leicester Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 9HN Time:
7:30pm concert, workshops during the day |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UK
Chinese Ensemble –
the British Museum –
Celebrating Chinese New Year:
6 February 2008 Venue: The Great Court British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Time: 7:00–9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet at the UK Chinese Scholars New Year Celebration: 5 February
2008 Venue: Logan Hall University of London 20 Bedford Way London WC1H 0AL Time: 7:00 – 9:00pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet – Chinese New Year
Double Concert: 1 February 2008 Venue: The Red Hedgehog 255-257 Archway Road Highgate London N6 5BS Time: 6:00 – 10:00pm Web site: www.theredhedgehog.co.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet – Concert: 31 January
2008 Venue: Lakeside Arts Centre University Park Nottingham NG7 2RD Time: 7:00 pm doors open, 7.30pm concert Web site: www.nottingham.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| “Silk & Bamboo”
– China Day, concert and workshops: 30 January 2008 Venue: Shrewsbury Music Hall The Square, Shrewsbury SY1 1LH Time: Concert 7:30pm, workshops during the day. Also online at www.musichall.co.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pipa
& Piano and Guzheng music at The Meridian Society –
British Born Chinese Network: Sunday, 20 January, 2008
Venue: Mary Ward House, 5-7 Tavistock Place London WC1H 9SN Ticket information: Free Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Workshops of Chinese
and Asian Music and Dance for Ann Bernhardt Nursery School: 15 January
– 25 March, 2008 In Partnership with World Beaters Arts and Culture, China Arts designed and delivered a ten week workshop programme on music, dance and storytelling for this school. Early education on arts and music is important and China Arts provided suitable artists with a set of targeted programmes on a weekly basis to enable the children to taste, develop an interest in, and have hands-on experience of Chinese arts forms. The children learned from simple hand clapping with rhythms, through percussion instruments to singing and dancing, not only from Chinese but also from other Asian cultures. This was a great opportunity for the children to play and to experience Chinese and Asian culture from an early age in multi-cultural Britain. Venue: TBC Time: 9:30 am – 2:45 pm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British Museum: 6
December, 2007 Dance and Music Date and time: Thursday 6 December 2007 6.30–9:00 pm Venue: Great Court (free event) The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000 information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November-December,
Music recording – "Wild China" – for BBC Bristol 6 episode TV
documentary Having recently recorded the hunting music for the film "Ghosts", directed by Nick Brookfield, about 23 Chinese drowned while cockling in dangerous Morecambe Bay, Cheng Yu and the UK Chinese Ensemble musicians worked with composer Barnaby Taylor to create music for a 6 episode TV documentary for BBC Bristol. The programme will be shown in 2008. See the Projects page for further information. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet, WOMAD Canarias Festival, Spain: 21-25 November, 2007 WOMAD again invited the Silk Strings to perform, this time at their Canarias Festival in Spain. This followed the Quartet’s appearance at the WOMAD Festival in Charlton Park, Wiltshire, and their BBC Radio 3 and World Service Broadcast in summer 2007. The group gave a concert and workshops during the festival. WOMAD Canary Islands Festival - another weekend of fabulous music, arts and dance from around the globe - all in the exhilarating beachside city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. For details see the Festival event page at the WOMAD website: http://womad.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet, Tenerife Spain: 8–10
November, 2007 At the invitation of the Asociación Canaria de Culturas y Músicas del Mundo, the Quartet debuted with new repertoires in Tenerife, Canary Is, Spain. There were two evening concerts and a workshop at the local Conservatory of Music. Concert Thursday, 8 November 2007, 8:00–10:00 pm Venue: Plaza del Patriotismo, 1 38002 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Tenerife Islas Canarias Spain Concert Friday, 9 November 2007, 8:00–10:00 pm Venue: Auditorio del Conservatorio Profesional de La Palmas de Gran Canaria Workshop Saturday, 10 November 2007, 5:00–6:00 pm Venue:
Desplazamiento
al Conservatorio Superior de Música de Las Palmas
de Gran
Canaria www.accmm.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British
Museum: 12
October, 2007
An evening of poetry, calligraphy and music Tickets £7, concessions £5. Friday 12 October 2007, 7:00 - 9:00pm Wednesday 7, 21 November 2007, 7:00 - 9:15pm Thursday 6 December 2007, 6:30 - 9:00pm Wednesday 6, 27 February 2008, 7:00 - 9:15pm Tuesday 5 March 2008, 7:00 - 9:15pm Venue: BP Lecture Centre, Core Education Centre The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000 information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British
Museum: 4
October, 2007 Moon Festival performance FREE event Thursday 4 October 2007, 6:30 - 9:00pm: Venue: Great Court The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000 information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| British
Museum: 1
October, 2007 Private performance for Friends of the Museum only Monday 1 October 2007, 6:00 - 9:00pm Venue: The British Museum Great Russell Street London WC1B 3DG Tel: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000 information@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| East
London Music Festival, East London: Saturday 8 September, 2007 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm (4x30 minutes) Venue: East Ham Market, Myrtle Road, East Ham, London E6 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Silk String
Quartet wins a PRS Foundation New Music award for Performance Group 2007 We are pleased to announce that our Quartet was awarded a grant by the PRS Foundation as one of the best performance groups for new music in 2007. This is the first time a PRS award has been won by a UK-based Chinese music group. It is the second award that PRS has given to the Quartet after it supported the group's successful Showcase at WOMEX 2006 in Spain. The grant has been used for the commissioning of and rehearsals for the Quartet’s new works. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New CD –
The Silk String Quartet Following the successful performances and tours of the past few months, our new project – the Silk String Quartet – was invited by ARC Music International Ltd. to record a CD under the ARC Music label. Recording was completed in May. The CD contains 7 interesting and diverse tracks, almost all of which are contemporary, some pieces having been freshly composed or arranged. The CD was released in August this year, and is available at major UK and European record shops under ‘World Music’, as well as from the ARC Music website: www.arcmusic.co.uk. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cheng
Yu’s new CD is
released Cheng Yu’s second solo CD album with ARC Music International came out in May 2007. The CD is entitled "Chinese Masterpieces of the pipa and qin". On it are recorded 8 of the best known classic pieces for the pipa lute and guqin zither – the two most celebrated classical instruments in China. You can find the CD in the World Music section of any major record shop the UK and Europe. It is also available from the ARC Music website: www.arcmusic.co.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Notting Hill Carnival – Chinese Carnival Club, 27 August 2007 Following the success of last year’s Carnival, the Chinese Carnival Club (organised by China Arts) was again invited by the organiser to showcase on a different theme. Our musicians worked with the group to provide music for the parade on the day. This year the group put on a more spectacular demonstration on a particular arts theme with specially designed make up, costumes and props presented by a team of over 50 people to join Europe’s largest street festival. For details see www.china-arts.co.uk (Carnival page) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chinese Music Summer School: 31 July – 4 August, 2007 Following
the success of the 2006
Chinese Music Summer School, Asian
Music Circuit was delighted to present the 2007 Chinese Music
Summer School, giving five full
days
of expert tuition on Chinese instrumental music. There were master
classes on the guqin (Chinese
7-string zither) with guqin master
Zeng Chengwei, and erhu (Chinese
fiddle) with erhu soloist Hu
Bin (UK Chinese Ensemble musician). This was a rare opportunity to
learn
and
explore Chinese music in the UK. Classes were open to
all takers, beginners and advanced. Further details: http://www.amc.org.uk/summer_schools/2007/courses.htm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese Guqin and
Erhu Recital – Professor
Zeng Chengwei and Hu Bin: 2
August 2007
Venue: David Josefowitz Recital Hall,
Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, London |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Art
and
Music Project –
IKON Gallery,
Birmingham: July, August, September 2007 From late July to September 2007, several musicians from the UK Chinese Ensemble worked on an Art and Music project. They collaborated with musicians from other cultures to create music in conjunction with a contemporary art exhibition by established painter Ruri in the IKON Gallery, Birmingham. The first public show was on the July 28th, leading to several performances in August and September. For details see the website below. 28 July, 2007 16 September, 2007 2:30 - 5:30pm Contact Details Tel : 0121 248 0708 E-mail : marketing@ikon-gallery.co.uk Venue: Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HS Website www.ikon-gallery.co.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WOMAD
Festival – The
Silk String Quartet: 29 July 07 BBC
Radio 3 and World Service Broadcasting. The Quartet performed at the 2007 WOMAD Festival at Charlton Park, Near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, over the weekend 27-29 July. The group was invited as the guests of BBC Radio 3 to perform a set of contemporary music which was recorded live and broadcast by the BBC Radio 3 and World Service Broadcast Networks. It was also made available on the BBC’s website. 3-4, Sunday, 29 July BBC Radio 3 Stage, WOMAD Festival, Charlton Park, Nr. Malmesbury, Wiltshire Tel: 0845 146 1760 http://womad.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Monkey: Journey to the
West – an Opera-Circus
Spectacular:
2007 shows
Four
musicians from the UK Chinese Music Ensemble were invited to work with
this large-scale Theatre/opera from the beginning of this year. The
show began to perform and tour in June 2007. Journey to The West by Wu Cheng’en is one of the
best-known 16th century Chinese classic novels. This multimedia
production is directed by Mr Chen Shizheng, the music is by Damon
Albarn (Blur front singer) and digital arts are by Jamie Hewlett.
Albarn and Hewlett are the artists behind the award-winning animated
band Gorillaz. Manchester performances at the Manchester International Festival: 25 June – 1 July : previews / performances 2 – 8 July: performances Venue: Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FT Tel: +44 (0)870 401 3000 or 0161 245 6666 Web site: www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com Paris performances at Theatre du Chatelet: 24 – 30 September: previews / performances 1 – 7 October: performances 8 – 13 October: performances Venue: Theatre du Chatelet, 2, rue Edouard Colonne – 75001 Paris. Web site: www.chatelet-theatre.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| European
Concerts – The Silk String
Quartet: 9 and 10 June, 12 July, 2007 The Netherlands and Germany After only a year since the Quartet's establishment, the Silk String girls are already in demand beyond the UK. They were invited to perform at the RUIGELAND Festival and the Bred Festival in the Netherlands and the Masala Festival in Germany. 3pm, 9th June 2007, 7.30 pm June 2007 Venue: RUIGELAND Festival in het NAM park bij Grijpskerk, Netherlands Website: www.ruigeland.nl 4pm 10th June 2007, Venue: Bred Festival, Netherlands. Website: www.earthbeat.nl 8pm 12th July 2007, Venue: MASALA Welt-Beat Festival 2007, Hannover, Germany Website: www.masala-festival.de |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Silk & Bamboo
Ensemble Concert – Stamford Arts Centre,
Lincolnshire: 7 June 2007 Our Silk & Bamboo Ensemble (a group from the UK Chinese Ensemble) was invited to play a concert of String and Wind music from China. 7.30pm, 7 June, 2007 Venue: Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2DL Website: www.stamfordartscentre.com |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concert by Cheng Yu
at the University of Reading: May 22, 2007 Date: Tuesday May 22nd, 1:10pm Venue: The Van Emden Theatre in the HUMSS Building, Whiteknights Campus, University of Reading Further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/about/newsandevents/Events/Event4418.asp Directions: http://www.reading.ac.uk/maps/whiteknights-struct.htm Email: music@reading.ac.uk |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Concert by Cheng Yu
in Bath: May 12, 2007 Date: Saturday May 12th, 6:00pm Venue: Museum of East Asian Art, 12, Bennett Street, Bath BA1 2QJ Further information: http://www.meaa.org.uk/events.htm Email: museum@east-asian-art.freeserve.co.uk Phone: 01225 464640 This was a free event, in association with Bath's Night at the Museums. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Guqin (7-string string zither)
concert and guqin yaji
(elegant gathering): May 5-6, 2007
The London Youlan Qin Society is pleased to announce that the renowned Shanghai guqin master Lin Youren and his daughter, guqin player and researcher Lin Chen, gave a concert at SOAS on Saturday May 5th, as part of their European tour. They also joined us for a guqin yaji on Sunday May 6th. This concert was their only public performance in the UK. Concert: Date: 5th May, 6:0pm Venue: Room G3, SOAS Main Building SOAS, University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG Click here for details. Yaji: Sunday May 6th, 12:00pm. Click here for details. Sponsored by the London Youlan Qin Society and the London Confucius Institute. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5-stringed pipa
premières at the Taiwan National Theatre: 25 March – 3
April
2007 Cheng
Yu was invited by the Taiwan National Chinese Orchestra Following her successful London World Première on the 5-stringed pipa and its new music, Cheng Yu was invited to work with the Taiwan National Chinese Orchestra on new compositions for the newly created instrument. She gave talks and lectures on the 5-stringed instrument at universities in Taiwan. Venue: The National Theatre, Taipei, Taiwan 台北市 中山南路21-1號國家戲劇院 Web site: http://www.ntch.edu.tw/ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese
Music workshop at the Museum of London: 14 and 15 April 2007 Members of musicians of the Ensemble were invited to give performances and workshops at the Family Event in the Museum of London. Venue: Museum of London, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN Time: 12:30, 2.30 and 4:00pm Enquiries: 0879 444 3852 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The
Silk String Quartet - Brighton Festival concert The Quartet was invited to give a lunchtime concert at the Brighton Festival. Date/time: 1-2pm, Tuesday 15th May Enquiries: tel. 01273 260 828 www.brightonfestival.org |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cheng Yu was
interviewed about her 5-string pipa
project
by Bournemouth Internet
Radio You can hear the programme at http://www.birst.co.uk/music/ChengYu/index.htm |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The
Silk String Quartet – The
first and only Chinese String Quartet in the UK and Europe We
are pleased to announce our latest addition to Chinese music in the
UK –
the birth of The Silk String Quartet. New in its form and style, unique in its instrumentation and presentation, the Silk String Quartet is a young and professional London based Chinese string instrumental group of top quality. It combines traditional and modern, Chinese and Western music in a fresh and creative way. Click here for details. Click to hear sample audio tracks: “Waterscape Silhouette” “Three and Six” For more information or a promotional CD, please contact us. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New
CD released: Cheng Yu and Her Five-Stringed Pipa – A Cross-Cultural
Music
Creation (SOASIS-10, University of London)![]() This album presents the first fruits of the five-stringed pipa project, four new compositions and one new arranged piece on the 5-stringed instrument created by Cheng Yu (for details about the 5-string pipa project, see the 5-string pipa project on this website). The new works premiered in February 2005 in two London concerts (at SOAS, University of London, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama), and on BBC radio. Please click here for details or to order a copy of the album. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The China-West fusion
music project – The Silk String
Quartet and the Chamber Music Company The Silk String Quartet in collaboration with China Arts is working on a Chinese-Western fusion music project. It brings together two of the best Chinese and Western ensembles in the UK, the Silk String Quartet (led by Dr Cheng Yu) and the Chamber Music Company (led by Mark Troop). The aim is to explore the soundworld of the East and West and creatively test both the potential and the boundaries between these two different musical cultures. Experiments include trying adopted music on each culture’s instruments, and collaborations of the mixed ensembles with diverse musical works by composers of different backgrounds. The project presents its first fruit at the inaugurations of both China Telecom (Europe) Ltd. and Dragon Cambridge International (provides UK-Chinese business links). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Guildford
International Music Festival – China Day in Guildford: 10 March 2007 10am – 12am - Dragon dance workshop 10.30am - 12 noon - Singing/percussion workshop for children 12.30 - 2 pm: Children’s Demonstration performances 12:30-2pm: Pipa music recital by Cheng Yu 2-4pm – Calligraphy and brush drawing 4 - 5 pm - Teatime concert: Silk String Quartet Venue: The Electric Theatre, Onslow Street, Guildford. Box Office: 01483 444789 Workshop and concerts prices are £5. Tickets for the lunchtime pipa recital are £5 (free to workshop participants and children under 12 years of age) and £5 for the Teatime Recital by the Silk String Quartet, also free to children under 12 years of age. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| An evening of
Beijing Opera: 9 March 2007 China Arts presents a selection of well-known scenes from Beijing Opera. Beijing Opera is a complex art form combining singing, movement, mime, martial arts, acrobats, melodic and percussion orchestra and extraordinary costumes and make-up. The programme includes:
Date: 9th March, 2007 Time: 7:30pm Venue: Richard Attenborough Centre University of Leicester Lancaster Road Leicester LE1 9HN Enquiries: Tel: (RAC) 0116 252 2455 Web site: www.le.ac.uk/music |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solo Ladies – Celebrating
International Women’s Day: 8 March 2007 Kiku Day (shakuhachi), Máire Breatnach (fiddle) and Sun Zhuo (guzheng) Kiku Day is a ji-nashi shakuhachi player with a colourful roots background. Following intensive instrumental studies in Tokyo, her interest is now turning towards contemporary music. This concert will see the world premiere of three original compositions written for Kiku by Yumi Hara Cawkwell, Mogens Christensen and Gabriel Erkoreka. A classically-trained artist who grew up in a household steeped in traditional music, Máire Breatnach is among Ireland’s most prolific traditional musicians. Beautiful melodies and sparkling fiddle playing make for both gripping and fragile performances. Sun Zhuo, guzheng player with the UK Chinese Ensemble and the Silk String Quartet, studied at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing and is now continuing her PhD studies in London. She is in high demand as a guzheng player both in China and abroad, most recently working on new compositions and contemporary styles. FREE ADMISSION, NO BOOKING REQUIRED Venue capacity is limited and SOAS operates a first come first served system. Date: Thursday 8th March 2007 Time: 7:00pm Venue: Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre SOAS, University of London Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG ENQUIRIES: Tel: 020 7897 4500 email: musicevents@soas.ac.uk www.soas.ac.uk/concerts |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China
Arts Week at Chelsea Primary School: 5-9 March 2007 China Arts and the UK Chinese Ensemble present: 1. Chinese Music Making: Singing, Percussion & Instruments 2. Lion Dance & Dragon Dance 3. Drawing, Calligraphy & Wash Painting 4. Chinese Folk Dance: Ribbon, Fan & Handkerchief Dance 5. Martial Arts 6. Story Telling Venue: CHRIST CHURCH Primary School 1 Robinson Street London SW3 4AR Enquiries: 020 7352 5708 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| China Arts Workshops at
South Bank International School,
London: 21–23 February
2007 China Arts and the UK Chinese Ensemble present: 3 days of workshops on Calligraphy, Lion Dancing and Storing Telling.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese
Arts Day at National Portrait Gallery: 17 February 2007 China Arts and the UK Chinese Ensemble presents: - Story telling - Opera Mask making - Ribbon and Fan dance - Lion Dance Time: 1pm onwards Venue: National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE Enquiries: tel. 020 7306 0055 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese New Year
Dance Spectacular – 16 and 17 February 2007 Thrilling, Colourful, Original and Inspirational Guizhou Ethnic Minority Dance and Song Ensemble, Southwest China Date: Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February, 2007 Time: 7.30pm Venue: Cadogan Hall 5 Sloane Terrace London SW1X 9DQ Box Office: 020 7730 4500, Tickets: £15 - £30 (child/student/group discount available). |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|