Octover 7, 2015—On Friday, Oct. 23, the University of Oregon World Music Series is pleased to present Red Chamber, an exciting ensemble of masterful musicians bringing a new sound on iconic instruments to the stage of the historic Beall Concert Hall.

 

Red Chamber straddles traditional and contemporary, from ancient Chinese string band music, to bluegrass, to jazz-fusion. These virtuosic performers, led by Chinese zither virtuoso Mei-Han, will treat concertgoers to hot licks, power, and passion.

 

"I teach a class called Music in World Cultures, which features a unit on music in China,” said Juan Eduardo Wolf, assistant professor of ethnomusicology and director of the UO World Music Series. “Red Chamber’s visit gives both the public and my students an opportunity to experience some of this repertoire firsthand—and to be surprised by its possibilities!"

 

Wolf also challenges community members who have never heard this music to explore Red Chamber’s varied genres and styles of playing.

 

“Many of us have an idea of what ‘Chinese music’ is supposed to sound like,” said Wolf. “Here’s a chance to hear some for yourself and be fascinated by the diversity of sound.”

 

Red Chamber takes its inspiration from the traditional Chinese “plucked string" repertoire that is seldom if ever heard in the West. Featuring only plucked string instruments, Red Chamber creates a unique sound while performing a repertoire that spans centuries, including transcriptions from the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907), to modern compositions. Red Chamber also explores other genres of plucked string music including bluegrass, jazz, and a host of other folk traditions.

 

The concert is made possible by a substantial grant from the UO Confucius Institute for Global China Studies. Additional support comes from the UO Asian Studies Program and from series sponsors: the Oregon Humanities Center’s Endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences, and Humanities; and the UO Department of International Studies. 

 

 

Friday, October 23

Red Chamber

7:30 p.m., Beall Concert Hall, Frohnmayer Music Building

$12 general admission, $8 students and seniors

Tickets are available at the door or in advance from the UO Ticket Office, 541-346-4363.