Development of the Modern Chinese Orchestra (Pre-Concert Lecture)

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• Free: No tickets required

PRE-CONCERT LECTURE

The Development of the Modern Chinese Orchestra

• J. Lawrence Witzleben, Professor of Ethnomusicology, UMD School of Music

Growing out of China's "New Culture Movement," in the 1930s, the symphonized Modern Chinese Orchestra has become the most influential type of ensemble music in Chinese societies around the world.

Rooted in traditional "silk and bamboo" chamber music, it combined instruments from many parts of China, grouped into sections and led by a conductor with a baton.

Prof. Witzleben will introduce the background and aesthetics of this type of ensemble, with audio and video examples of some of the acknowledged masterpieces.