Musicon East Asian Music Festival

Building on the success of last year's Korean shaman music concert and launching a miniature revival of the Durham Asian Music Festival of the late 1970s and 80s, Musicon presents three concerts of music from the Far East. The concerts are united under the theme of 'zithers', each showcasing a representative zither-type stringed instrument, while also introducing other evocative instrumental colours.

 

 

A well known master of the Ikuta School, Keiko Kitamura presents a selection of traditional and more-recently composed works for the koto (thirteen-stringed zither). For some items, she is joined by the prolific performer, composer and writer Clive Bell, playing the shakuhachi (bamboo flute).

 

 

The internationally renowned virtuoso Cheng Yu performs a selection of pieces for the Chinese guqin (seven-stringed 'ancient zither'), demonstrating the music's characteristically sublime, delicate and meditative qualities. She is joined by Dennis Lee on the xiao (vertical flute) for some pieces.

 

 

Featuring some of Korea's finest players of the kayagum (twelve-stringed zither) and komungo (six-stringed zither), including the influential master Lee Chae-suk, the Korean Zither Musicians' Association performs a varied programme - earthy folk-art music, refined classical pieces and more contemporary works.

 

Musicon gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Korean Arts Council for this event.

In association with the Centre for Contemporary Performing Arts

 

Tickets for each evening concert:  £10.00, Students £4.00, Under 18s £1.00

Tickets for lunchtime concert (on the door only): £5, Students/Concessions £2.00

Box Office:  Tourist Information Centre, Durham

Tel:  0191 384 7641