KEY POINTS:
Two weekend concerts acknowledge our increasing cultural diversity. Chamber Music New Zealand's Saturday presentation of the Music Ensemble Korea and Chinese conductor Li Xincao's appearance with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra on Sunday both come courtesy of Wellington's Asia Pacific Festival.
Aucklanders might not hear the Koreans collaborate with the Wellington musicians of stroma ensemble, or be captivated by Yi ji-young's premiere of a gayageum solo specially written for her by New Zealander Dylan Lardelli, but the MEK will give us a vivid evening of traditional music played on instruments dating back to the equivalent of our Middle Ages.
Yi's voice is as gently modulated as the giant zither she has mastered and the flickering inflections of her voice seem to complement the dazzling costume she will wear on stage.
She explains the difference between court and folk music, emphasising how "Korean traditional instruments are very soft and calm". But it is not all music for the inner soul and Yi's voice seems to catch fire as she describes the "expressive and energetic" folk music.
Korean music is closer to Indian music than that of China or Japan, she says.
Whereas the music of these countries is "restricted in its rhythm, Korean musicians use many different patterns and improvisation is very important".
The MEK concert is the first instalment of Encompass, an initiative by Chamber Music New Zealand to expand its audience base and, for chief executive Euan Murdoch, an exciting venture.
"With the essence of chamber music being conversation and the essence of traditional music being storytelling, I see an obvious affinity between our two worlds."
It is working with the Wellington Asia Pacific Festival and Auckland's The Edge that makes this event possible.
"There's a growing curiosity about new traditional sounds that people haven't heard live," Murdoch says. "It's a little like our curiosity to sample new styles of cuisine or go to an ethnic restaurant."
On Friday, in Wellington, Li Xincao is at the helm of the NZSO's Asian Voices concert, conducting music he says is cutting-edge.
On Sunday in Auckland, the fare is more conservative for the Spring Festival Concert, a musical celebration of the Chinese New Year.
The first half features leading Chinese singers in traditional Chinese songs and lieder. After interval the APO accompanies them in arias by Verdi, Puccini and Bizet, with popular orchestral items both Western (Glinka's Ruslan and Ludmila Overture) and Westernised (Li Huan-Zhi's Spring Festival Overture.)
Li is guarded on the subject of the role folk music plays in Chinese concert music. From his view in Beijing, as resident conductor with the China National Symphony Orchestra, he says "the problem is bringing together Western harmony and Chinese folk melody.
"Composers have been trying this for years and the most successful for me is Chen Qigang, who is working in Paris."
Li has studied in Europe, and feels this is essential for understanding the European style. "It's the other way around, too, as we have foreign musicians coming to China to learn our traditional opera."
And Antony Ernst, the APO's artistic administrator, says: "The APO is always looking for ways to participate in Auckland's diverse cultural life. In particular, we have had a long association with the Chinese community. Being partners in presenting a programme which is genuinely cross-cultural and part of the most important event in the Chinese calendar is something we are very happy and privileged to be a part of."
What: Music Ensemble Korea
Where and when: Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber, Sat 8pm
What: Spring Festival Concert
Where and when: Auckland Town Hall, Sun 7.30pm (Lion Dance at 7pm)
