Silk Road Ensemble with YO-YO MA
Mon Apr 23, 7:00 PM - Mon Apr 23, 10:00 PM

Under the artistic direction of Yo-Yo Ma and representing dozens of nationalities and musical traditions, Silkroad musicians model new forms of cultural understanding through performances, workshops, and residencies.

Inspired by the exchange of ideas that occurred along the historical Silk Road, these global artists draw on the rich tapestry of traditions that make up our many-layered contemporary identities. By weaving together the foreign and the familiar, they create a new musical language.

The Ensemble performs throughout the world and has recorded six albums. Its new, Grammy-nominated album, Sing Me Home, was developed and recorded alongside the new documentary feature The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble from Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville — in worldwide distribution in 2016-17.

Inspired by the exchange of ideas and traditions along the historical Silk Road, cellist Yo-Yo Ma established Silkroad in 1998 to explore how the arts can advance global understanding. Since 2000, the musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble have led Silkroad’s work to connect the world through the arts, focusing in three areas: musical performances, learning programs and cultural entrepreneurship.

Kinan Azmeh, clarinet
Jeffrey Beecher, bass
Mike Block, cello
Nicholas Cords, viola
Sandeep Das, tabla
Johnny Gandelsman, violin
Joseph Gramley, percussion
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Cristina Pato, Galician bagpipes, piano
Shane Shanahan, percussion
Mark Suter, percussion

Program:
SCHMITT Ghanaia
TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE Lullaby
ZORN/PATO Khabiel from "Book of Angels"
TRADITIONAL GALICIAN Joropo
TRADITIONAL SYRIAN Improvisations
IYER Playlist from an Extreme Occasion, movement 0*
PATO My Lethe Story*
DAS/SMALL King Ashoka**
LJOVA Everywhere is Falling Everywhere*
AZMEH Wedding

*Commissioned by Silkroad
**Commissioned by an anonymous donor to Silkroad