| SASO Presents Guzheng Concerto "Lu You & Tang Wang" Featuring Larry Leung 11/19-11/20 2011-11-04 |
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| Sound of China Guzheng Music Promotion Center |
Eclectic and exotic certainly describe the Nov. 19 and 20 program of
the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra.
Chances are very good you’ve never heard He Zhanhao’s “Lu You &
Tang Wan” Concerto for Guzheng with Orchestra, Chorus and
Soprano. SASO presents this work blending Chinese and Western
influences with guzheng soloist Larry Leung, the Tucson Sino Choir
and soprano Marcia Fest. Zhanhao co-composed The Butterfly Lovers
violin concerto that SASO performed previously. The guzheng is a
many-stringed Chinese instrument akin to a zither.
Leung, who lives in Tucson, said he was blessed with the desire learn
and play music. He taught himself much. Then five years ago, with
lessons and guidance from Master Li Ma, he decided to learn to play the
guzheng, which also rekindled interest in his Chinese roots. This will be
his first performance with a symphony orchestra and choir.
Founded in 2007, the Tucson Sino Choir is directed by Larry Lang.
Soprano Fest is one of the choir’s founders. In high school she was
selected to attend the Gansui Province Opera Troupe, where for three
years she received her performing arts training. She attended Lanzhou
University, then worked at both Lanzhou University and Shenzhen
University. She came the United States for graduate studies and
ultimately moved to Tucson.
Music Director Linus Lerner will conduct. Lerner, who completed his
doctorate in orchestral conducting at the University of Arizona, also
serves as artistic director of the Bayou City Performing Arts in Houston.
He has conducted orchestras, operas, choruses and instrumental
groups in his nativeBrazil, theUnited States,Bulgaria, theCzechRepublic,
Spain,MexicoandChina.
The SASO concerts will be presented Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. at
the SaddleBrooke Desert View Performing Arts Center, 39900 S.
Clubhouse Drive, and again on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 3 p.m. in St. Andrew’
s Presbyterian Church, 7575 N. Paseo del Norte.
Individual tickets are on sale now. Order SaddleBrooke tickets online at
http://tickets.saddlebrooketwo.com or call 825-2818. Individual tickets at
SaddleBrooke are $21 in advance, $23 at the door. Order the St.
Andrew’s tickets online at www.sasomusic.org or call 308-6226.
Individual tickets at St. Andrew’s are $20 in advance or at the door.
They are complimentary for ages 17 and under.
Program Flyer