Horizon
Performed by Melody of China
Gene Coleman, composer
Adam Vidiksis, conductor
About
Melody of China will present the world premiere of "Horizon" for mixed ensemble, video and pre-recorded sound on June 5th at the Center for New Music. "Horizon" is a fascinating new multi-media work by composer Gene Coleman that explores the architectural wonders and landscapes of Hong Kong via a captivating journey through video, sound and live performance. “Horizon” will be conducted by Adam Vidiksis.
"Horizon" will enjoy its first performance by Melody of China and several guest artists including the composer himself on Sunday, June 5 at 4 P.M. Gene Coleman has won several awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the prestigious Berlin Prize for Music Composition and has premiered numerous works in Europe, Asia and the U.S. The composer says he is thrilled to be back in San Francisco working with Melody of China again.
The Sunday afternoon program will also include the traditional Chinese ensemble repertoire as well as several Chinese “jazz fusion” selections featuring Melody of China’s own guzheng artist/vocalist Gangqin Zhao. The afternoon performance will feature Melody of China's line-up of world-renown artists: Yangqin Zhao (yangqin), Gangqin Zhao (guzheng), Wanpeng Guo (sheng) and Xian Lu (dizi). They will be joined by high-profile guests Gene Coleman (composer and bass clarinetist), Erik Ulman (violin), Jessie Marino (cello), Adam Vidiksis (conductor) and Shenshen Zhang (pipa).
"Horizon" is scored for Chinese instruments (Yangqin, Sheng, Pipa and Guzheng), pre-recorded voice, and a chamber trio comprised of bass clarinet, violin and cello. Using a text in Chinese and English created by the composer, the work explores the concept of the philosopher's walk - a moving meditation through the mountain-like canyons of present day Hong Kong. The architectural forms of the city are compared to images of words and Chinese ink painting, thus creating a parallel universe to the music's fusion of Chinese and Western instruments. Shot on location in Hong Kong, the video is directed by Gene Coleman with cinematography by Nicholas Lerman.
About Melody of China:
Co-founded by Hong Wang and Yangqin Zhao, Melody of China* has helped to popularize Chinese music in San Francisco, the Bay Area and throughout the nation. The ensemble has premiered over 40 new works by 20 contemporary composers including Kui Dong, Gang Situ, Yuanlin Chen and Carl Stone. They’ve performed all over the world including New York’s Lincoln Center, in Germany with the Berlin Philharmonic, and at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Members include: yangqin (hammered dulcimer) soloist and Melody of China Director Yangqin Zhao, Gangqin Zhao on guzheng (zither), Wanpeng Guo on sheng (mouth organ), Xian Lu on dizi (bamboo flutes) and Li Bo on matouqin (horse-head fiddle). Although they all trace their origins to China, they’ve succeeded in making the Bay Area home by carving a niche being the only long-standing Chinese chamber ensemble in San Francisco and one of the leading ensembles in the U.S. The group’s longevity has enabled them to break barriers and work with a variety of arts organizations including Oakland Ballet, San Francisco Symphony, Lines Ballet, Earplay and Anthony Brown’s Asian-American Jazz Orchestra.
https://www.sfstation.com/melody-of-china-and-gene-coleman-e2296090
Credits
Gene Coleman, composer
Adam Vidiksis, conductor
