ST PAUL, Minn. (Jan. 15, 2016) — A singular evening of classical music with pipa virtuoso Wu Man and the Shanghai Quartet will explore the great music of China, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. at The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul, Minn.
The St. Catherine University “Woman of Substance Event” called “A Night in Ancient and New China”, featuring pipa virtuoso Wu Man and the Shangai Quartet will feature a suite of traditional Chinese folk songs arranged by second violinist Yi-Wen Jiang, as well as solo pipa works by Wu Man. Looking back to their roots, but with a contemporary vision, these artists meld sounds of Western string quartet with Chinese pipa in an unforgettable evening of grand music.
The program also includes a new multimedia work by the eminent Chinese composer, Zhao Jiping, in collaboration with his son, Zhao Lin, featuring some of some of his most famous scores of Chinese cinema – Raise the Red Lantern, To Live and Farewell My Concubine, among others.
Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso and leading ambassador of Chinese music, Grammy Award-nominated musician Wu Man has carved out a career as a soloist, educator and composer giving her lute-like instrument – which has a history of over 2,000 years in China – a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. Through numerous concert tours Wu Man has premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa, while spearheading multimedia projects to both preserve and create awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions. Her adventurous spirit and virtuosity have led to collaborations across artistic disciplines allowing Wu Man to reach wider audiences as she works to break through cultural and musical borders. She was named Musical America’s 2013 Instrumentalist of the Year, the first time this prestigious award has been bestowed on a player of a non-Western instrument.
Renowned for its passionate musicality, impressive technique and multicultural innovations, the Shanghai Quartet has become one of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles. Its elegant style melds the delicacy of Eastern music with the emotional breadth of Western repertoire, allowing it to traverse musical genres including traditional Chinese folk music, masterpieces of Western music and cutting-edge contemporary works. Members include Weigang Li (violin), Yi-Wen Jiang (violin), Honggang Li (viola) and Nicholas Tzavaras (cello).
Tickets are $15, $20 and $25 with discounts for students, seniors, military, MPR, TPT and groups. For more information and tickets, contact The O’Shaughnessy Ticket Office at 651-690-6700; open Mon.-Fri. 12-4 p.m. (12-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., beginning Feb. 1). The ticket office is located on the main campus of St. Catherine University at 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul. Tickets can be purchased online at oshag.stkate.edu.
This performance is supported, in part, by a generous grant from the Boss Foundation. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Arts Touring Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota.
This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from The Minnesota State Arts Board, the Crane Group and the General Mills Foundation.
Located on the scenic main campus of St. Catherine University, The O’Shaughnessy is one of the Twin Cities’ premiere venues for showcasing the arts. Since opening in 1970, The O’Shaughnessy has presented a dazzling array of both local and national performing arts companies, including the Minnesota Orchestra, The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, James Sewell Ballet, TU Dance, The Indigo Girls, Joan Baez and countless others. In addition, the venue hosts public events, student and community performances and features multicultural programming with an emphasis on dance, music and theater. Known for its dedication to artistic development and collaboration, the venue has premiered over 400 new works by local and national artists. The O’Shaughnessy is the home of the Women of Substance series, which showcases the artistry and innovative work of women, both prominent and emerging in their fields, whose voices need to be heard. www.oshag.stkate.edu
