Music From China Comes to Williams College
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams College Department of Music presents Music From China on Thursday, March 8 at 8 p.m. in Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall on the Williams College campus. In addition to this, a master class with the musicians of Music From China takes place at 4:15 p.m. on the same day in the same venue. These free events are open to the public.Music From China is a chamber ensemble that performs a dual repertoire of traditional and contemporary Chinese music. The group was founded in 1984 by Director Susan Cheng and is under the artistic direction of Wang Guowei, virtuoso player of the erhu, a Chinese string instrument. Performing on traditional instruments, the musicians invoke the sonorities of age-old musical traditions and interpret the music of today.
A proponent of new music, Music From China is recipient of an Adventurous Programming special commendation from Chamber Music America and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for creative programs that combine the music of the east and west. As part of its music education program, the ensemble founded the 35-member Music From China Youth Orchestra, which performs year-round under Artistic Director/Conductor Wang Guowei in the New York tri-state and other East Coast areas.
The master class offers an opportunity to experience how these professionals pass on their knowledge of music to their students. This combination of playing, demonstration and discussion of the questions that arise provides a fascinating window into the world of musicians.
