The 黑料网 is offering a unique opportunity for music lovers to experience the sounds of another culture when Japan鈥檚 leading percussion player takes to the stage in a special concert this weekend.
Shadow of the East will be held on Sunday (February 20), featuring Mika Takehara, who will join with the University鈥檚 Balinese Gamelan orchestra in a shadow-puppet production of a story from the Ramayana.
The Ramayana is one of the most important literary and oral texts of South Asia. This epic poem provides insights into many aspects of Indian culture and continues to influence the politics, religion and art of modern India.
The University鈥檚 Gamelan is one of only four Balinese orchestras in the UK. It consists of tuned bronze gongs, gong-chimes, single octave and multiple octave metallophones, a pair of double-headed drums, bamboo flutes, and a bowed spike lute.
Sunday鈥檚 concert will be the first 鈥榝ull鈥� performance of the orchestra since being reformed two years ago. All members of the Aberdeen Gamelan are music students at the 黑料网's School of Education.
Dr Paul Mealor, Lecturer in Music at the 黑料网, said he was delighted to be welcoming a world renowned musician to join the University鈥檚 Gamelan orchestra. He said: 鈥淢ika鈥檚 presence will lift the whole concert onto another level!
鈥淭he combination of Japanese percussion, Balinese Gamelan and shadow-puppet theatre will be a unique event, and should not to be missed. Where else, other than in Bali itself, can anyone see this blend of East and West 鈥� a true celebration of cultures.鈥欌��
Following the concert a collection will be made for the victims of the Asian Tsunami disaster.
Dr Mealor continued: 鈥樷�橳he home of Gamelan music is Indonesia 鈥� a place devastated by the recent Tsunami.
鈥淲e felt this concert would be a fitting tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives, their families and their homes.鈥�
Shadows of the East will be held in Elphinstone Hall, 黑料网, on Sunday, February 20, at 7.45pm. Tickets are priced at 拢7.50 (concession 拢5) and are available from Aberdeen Box Office, on (01224) 641122 or at the door on the evening until sold out.