Rare Performance this Saturday from Wu Man in Royce

  • Saturday, November 19, 2011
  • 8 PM
  • UCLA’s legendary Royce Hall
  • $15 student tickets!!!!!!!!!!!! (presented by yours truly, SCA)

This Saturday, audiences in Royce Hall will be taken to a new realm of modern music that has not been explored before. Return to East – Ancient Dances is a performance that features pipa legend Wu Man and a repertoire of work that combines an “exploration of ancient roots” and “forward-looking aesthetic appeal.” The pipa instrument is the ancient Chinese equivalent of a lute. Still unfamiliar to many within China and throughout the world, the pipa has been reintroduced to international audiences by Wu Man’s solo and collaborative performances.

Wu Man, who is an established musical artist, has an extensive career, having performed with prestigious ensembles such as the Kronos Quartet, New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She is also a founding member of the Silk Road Ensemble led by cellist Yo-Yo Ma. In her upcoming program this Saturday Wu Man will be presenting Ancient Dances. Commissioned from composer Chen Yi, Ancient Dances is a three movement work for pipa and percussion that brings together Tang Dynasty poetry and the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy. This performance will not only engage audiences acoustically, but also visually with the innovative use of synchronized images behind the performers. Don’t miss out on a rare opportunity to experience an intimate and transformative performance from one of the world’s greatest pipa masters.

To get a preview of the grace and charm that Wu Man will be bringing to Royce this Saturday, check out the videos and links below:

Wu Man’s website
UCLAlive’s blog about Wu Man’s Ancient Dances piece
UCLAlive’s event page for Wu Man on 11/19!!!!!

Melissa Liu
General Member
Student Committee for the Arts