The Orchid Ensemble, acclaimed as "One of the brightest blossoms on the world music scene" (Georgia Straight), represents a vibrant and contemporary musical exchange between North American and Asian cultures. The Orchid Ensemble is about to perform in Sudbury at Laurentian University, St. Andrew's Place (111 Larch Street) on Friday, March 14, 2008 at 7:30PM. General admission tickets are $15 (Adults) and $10 (Students & Seniors) and are available at Black Cat One, Laurentian University Bookstore and the Guitar Clinic. The concert will draw from the music heard on their recordings Heartland, which received 2 Western Canadian Music Award nominations, and their Juno-nominated recording Road to Kashgar, which also received a WCMA nomination.
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, The Orchid Ensemble has represented Canada at some of the most significant cultural institutions in the US, including the Smithsonian and Kennedy Center, the members of Orchid Ensemble are also are also UNESCO spokespersons. The Orchid Ensemble is led by Lan Tung from Taiwan playing erhu, with Gelina Jiang from Wuhan, China performing on the guzheng and Jonathan Bernard from Canada on numerous percussion instruments.
Blending ancient musical instruments and traditions from
China and beyond, the Orchid Ensemble crafts a beautifully
sophisticated new sound that is both creative and distinct,
while reflecting the religious, linguistic, historical,
mythical elements of Chinese and neighbouring Silk Road
cultures.
The ensemble has embraced a variety of musical styles in its
repertoire, including the traditional and contemporary music of
China, World Music, New Music, Jazz and Creative Improvisation.
The energetic and endearing performance style of the ensemble
consistently intrigues and delights its audiences, as evidenced
by their regular standing ovations. The group regularly
collaborates with musicians from a wide variety of world
cultures and actively commissions new works by Canadian and US
composers for its unique instrumentation.
An additional highlight of every Orchid Ensemble show follows the performance when the audience is invited on the stage to catch an up close and personal glimpse of the rare and unusual instruments of the ensemble. Guests have an opportunity to engage in an in-depth discussion with fascinating background info on each piece and its relevance to the religious, linguistic, historical, mythical elements of the ancient cultures they come from.
