Performance: The Essence of Chinese Music - Bamboo Flutes and Guzheng

A performance by Bin He, an acclaimed artist and master Chinese flute performer, with his students.

Sunday, June 24, 1:30 PM
Bowers Museum
Norma Kershaw Auditorium
2002 N Main St
Santa Ana, CA
714-567-3600
Phone: 714-567-3600
Web Page: http://www.bowers.org

Bowers Museum presents “The Essence of Chinese Music – Bamboo Flutes and Guzheng,” a performance by Bin He, an acclaimed artist and master Chinese flute performer, with his students, on Sunday, June 24 at 1:30 p.m. The performers will traverse through time and geography with bamboo flutes and guzheng, 7000 year old Chinese instruments, infused with modern 21st century interpretations. The performance is $10 for members and $12 for the general public.

The bamboo flute and guzheng are two versatile instruments in Chinese history. The Zhou dynasty first documents the use of the bamboo flute in court music, but it also appeared in military ensembles, operas, and other traditional ensemble genres throughout the course of Chinese history. An extra hole covered with rice paper produces a reedy, buzzing tone, which is a unique characteristic of the bamboo flute.

The guzheng originated from the Qin state, in today’s Shaanxi province, during the Warring States Period. The early instrument had only five strings, but since then has increased and now ranges from 16 to 26 strings. The plucking of the strings generates crisp notes within a high tonal range to create a distinctive rippling sound.