search citypaper.net
  


OK, Here's The Situation
Prodigal rocker Christopher Tucker is back with a brand-new invention.
-A.D. Amorosi

CD Reviews
-Nicole Pensiero, Mary Armstrong and A.D. Amorosi

Sage Francis
-Elisa Ludwig

The Raveonettes
-A.D. Amorosi

Gang Starr
-Paul Burress

Carissa's Wierd
-Patrick Rapa

The Gig
-Nate Chinen on Jazz

Vienna Philharmonic
-Peter Burwasser

February 27-March 5, 2003

musicpicks

Wu Man



There probably isn't any music written for the pipa by a non-Asian composer, or a non-Chinese one for that matter. This could change as more people hear Wu Man play this four-stringed fretted instrument (sometimes called a Chinese lute) with the range of the viola and the timbre of a harpsichord. Her spectacularly exciting and beautiful playing was displayed last season at a Network for New Music appearance, and she returns to Philadelphia this weekend to play four works with Orchestra 2001. Wu Man is the direct inspiration for three of the composers on the program, fellow Chinese-Americans who have written new works for pipa and orchestra. In addition to this music by May Tchi Chen, Zhou Long and Tan Dun (of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragonfame), James Freeman will conduct "Sparkle" by Chen Yi. Despite the common use of the distinctive sounding pipa, and the incorporation of some other traditional Asian musical devices such as the whole-tone scale, the music of these four composers is quite different from one another. While they all share a classical Chinese musical background, all display New World influences, especially American sounds. The music can be jazzy, somber, serene and explosive. Above all, it is extremely entertaining.

Sat., March 1, 8 p.m., Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce St.; Sun., March 2, 7:30 p.m., Lang Concert Hall, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, $10-$30, with Orchestra 2001, 215-922-2190.

-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
Recent Comments
Web Exclusives
Repertory Film
Your weekly guide to local film events, festivals and under-the-radar screenings.
Tim Hecker
Sat., Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m., $12 with Aidan Baker, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com.
Something Good
DANCE REVIEW: Fräulein Maria
Icepack
Amorosi on the news, nightlife, gossip and bitchiness beats.


search restaurants by name
search by neighborhood
Search
search by cuisine
title
theater

Search
search for:
within:   of  
more jobs
(use zip or city, state)
Search
"Great vision without great people is irrelevant."
—Jim Collins, Author,
"Good to Great"
In Partnership with JobCircle
start date / /  select date
end date / /  select date
category
keyword
Search Buy Concert Tickets
Category:
Keywords: Search

Search Real Estate

ALL | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN

or

LOCATION:

ADVERTISEMENT