Past Events
2007
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.ukv
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.
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.cajacanarias.org
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.
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.
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.
Venue: Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, London.
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
7.30pm, 2 August, 2007 Venue: David Josefowitz Recital Hall, Royal Academy of Music, Marylebone Road, London Website: www.amc.org.uk
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 and Bamboo Ensemble Concert - Stamford Arts Centre, Lincolnshire: 7 June 2007
Our Silk and 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
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.
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.
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:
The Goddess Scattering Flowers from Heaven
The Startling Dream from 'The Peony Pavilion'
Picking up the Jade Bracelet
Flute and Drum at Sunset (traditional civil style music)
Flowing Water (Classical music)
The programme features artists of the International Centre for Beijing Opera in Beijing, China.
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 and Instruments
2. Lion Dance and Dragon Dance
3. Drawing, Calligraphy and Wash Painting
4. Chinese Folk Dance: Ribbon, Fan and 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.
Venue: Southbank Kingsington Park Road, London W11 3BU
Tel: 020 7229 8230
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).
2007 Spring Concert and Workshop Series : The Silk String Quartet/UK Chinese Ensemble
Music and Dance Workshops
12-15 February, 2007 - Asian Music Circuit, Educational Centre, London W3 ORG
17 February, 2007 - The National Centre for Early Music, York YO1 9TL
25 February, 2007 - St George's, Bristol BS1 5RR
Chinese New Year celebration
18 February, 2007 - Trafalgar Square, London WC2
Concerts
17 February, 2007 - The National Centre for Early Music, York YO1 9TL
18 February, 2007 - The Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, London WC2E 9DD
24 February, 2007 - St Mary's Church, Ashford, Kent, TN30 6TJ
25 February, 2007 - St George's, Bristol BS1 5RR
Film Music recording project 22 - 24 January 2007
Balls of Fury - Hollywood Film music by Randy Edelman At Abbey Road Studios
Having successfully recorded music for Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights, this is be the third Hollywood film music project on which the UK Chinese Music Ensemble has worked with composer
Randy Edelman. The musicians worked from written scores and improvised. The instruments used included the pipa lute, guqin zither, guzheng zither, erhu and gaohu fiddles, dizi and xiao flutes,
sheng mouth-organ and guanzi pipe.
Pipa and Guqin recital by Cheng Yu at Clare Hall, Cambridge University - 21 January 2007
Date: Sunday 21 January 2007
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: President's House
Clare Hall
Herschel Road
Cambridge CB3 9AL
Web site