DC Theater Arts

Tag: Sandeep Das

Review: The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at Wolf Trap

A high school teacher of mine used to say that there are two universal languages in the world. One is math; the other is music. Simply stated at the time, its message has echoed through my life in wonderful, often surprising ways, and I’m delighted to say the most recent of which was on a humid Thursday evening in Virginia. It was the universal language of music that brought together the incredibly talented musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble and Yo-Yo Ma, and those of us lucky enough to be in attendance at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center were in for a night of fun, love, and home.

The Silk Road Ensemble performs at the Mondavi Center at the University of California, Davis on April 8, 2011. (Photo by Max Whittaker.

With music that was loud, expressive, improvised, and grooved, the evening launched into a playful celebration from the start as Cristina Pato on the gaita (Galician bagpipes) and Wu Tong on the Suona (Chinese horn) mimicked and challenged each other to quite literally soar higher. Often beginning with one musical instrument at a time before slowly layering on the rest to create a tight groove, the evening’s pieces took us to visit the homes of each of the group’s 17 members.

Note by note the shores of Yangtze River—rhythmic and rippling—in “If You Shall Return…” featuring Sandeep Das on the tabla and the indigo pits of West Africa in the relaxed but persistent beat of “Ichichila” were built on that stage. But perhaps the most powerful of these transportive pieces was to Iran in “Atashgah” with Kayhan Kalhor on the kamancheh. In it you could feel, and see with his head leaned back and eyes closed in concentration, a longing for home driven by an urgent need to share his home, culture, and people with those who surrounded him.

Losing himself in the moment just as easily was Yo-Yo Ma himself as he dueted “Miero vuotti uutta kuuta” from Michio Mamiya’s Five Finnish Folksongs for piano and cello with Pato on piano. One of his signature stances, it almost goes without saying that the way Yo-Yo pours himself into the music is creating, moving into and through his cello, is truly mesmerizing. Through each piece and with Yo-Yo Ma’s incredible skill leading from within, the group proved the intoxicating, infectious, enduring power of music across borders.

While the talent of the musicians in the Silk Road Ensemble is undeniable, it was their heart and earnest will to share these special parts of themselves that are really what make up this group’s soul. From Spain to China to Syria or the crowded A Trains of New York City, the music that these artists created and the love of home that they shared was more intimate than I could have imagined.

With the grounding help of Haruka Fujii, Joseph Gramley, Shane Shanahan, and Mark Suter on percussion, Nicholas Cords on viola, and Jeffrey Beecher on bass, the members played with the melodies—many of which from their new album, Sing Me Home, released in April of this year—just as much as those around them in a sense of fun and respect so tangible, you couldn’t help but smile.

Nowhere in the show was that play more prevalent however than in the second half when we truly saw their homes blend in to one loud, energized world. In “Cut the Rug” the sounds of Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, flamenco, the Roma people, and American Cajun all poured together as the members took turns improvising, including the cheeky Wu Man on the pipa and Johnny Gandelsman on the violin. And in their closing number, “Wedding,” the mindfully passionate Kinan Azmeh on clarinet took us to the small villages of Syria where, as Azmeh put it while introducing his homeland, we celebrated the people who have managed to fall in love in the last five years. With every member of the ensemble bringing the gift of their instrument this wedding, it was one dance party that tapped your foot and tugged at your heart strings.

Over far sooner than I would have liked, but a memory I will cherish as yet another echo of that high school lesson, the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma was quite truly a once in a lifetime experience. And while my fluency in math has faded more than it should since that day, I agree now more than ever that music in one of those two universal languages that can connect people. Though, if I could after this concert, I would suggest adding a third to that universal list: the power of home.

Running Time: Approximately two hours and 30 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission.

The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma played for one night only on August 19, 2015 at The Filene Center at Wolf Trap – 1645 Trap Road, in Vienna, VA. For future performances and information call (877) 965-3872, or go tom Wolf Trap’s calendar of events.

August 12, 2016
Review: DEMO: Place with Damian Woetzel starring Lil Buck at The Kennedy Center

Damian Woetzel’s DEMO Place starring Lil Buck uses art as a platform to explore geographical locations in the midst of authentic human emotions. A 90-minute jam session of dance, music, and dramatics, the demo culminates our initial locations and how they are synonymous to cultures around the world. Every dancer and musician that graces the stage at The Kennedy Center always brings forth their environment in which cultivates them.

Cristina Pato, Johnny Gandelsman, David Teie, Kate Davis, Lil Buck, and Ron ‘Prime Tyme’ Miles. Photo by Teresa Wood.

In Lil Buck’s case, Memphis, Tennessee ingrains a unique style of dance, “Jookin.” He zooms into the spotlight with a charismatic smile and youthful enthusiasm. His body configures that of a ice skating ballerina influenced by Michael Jackson. Ron Myles, also known as “Prime Tyme,” joins Lil Buck in equivalent choreographed movements.

Musicians such as Sandeep Das, Kate Davis, Johnny Gandelsman, Cristina Pato, David Teie and Wu Tong accompany the dancers. Sandeep Das creates an alluring musical selection of “Part Zero from Playlist for an Extreme Occasion.” The tempo and rhythm of his fingers and wrist motion on the tabla duplicate his vocals within the music. The musical scene and dance journey through location based on cultural art.

The DEMO is inclusive of layers of creative intellectual realms, all the while coinciding with its previous theme Time. The timing of Jookin’ is impeccable, with unforeseen rhythms and shapes that exemplify the musical selections. Lil Buck dances while Kate Davis plays intricate chords on the piano, her voice looms with an eccentric style resembling that of an original artist. The lullaby effect of “I Prefer Not to Fly,” creates clarity in purpose and movement as Lil Buck dances to a slower tempo, in contrast to other sections.

Lil Buck and Sandeep Das. Photo by Teresa Wood.

There is a way in which, this DEMO travels through location and emotion, all the while creating a ballet. “The Swan,” danced by Lil Buck to the beautifully played cello of David Teie is obviously a rendition of the “The Dying Swan,” which is extremely popular in the ballet world. The Jookin’ movements are so similar to ballet, it is hard to disconnect the two. Lil Buck rises to pointe easily in tennis shoes, bourrée and even pirouettes in attitude derrière to Camille Saint-Saëns ballad.

Each artist portray exquisite skill in their artform and instrument, ranging from the body in dance to Cristina Pato’s Galician bagpipe. Art is apparent through the translation of life in this DEMO. Damian Woetzel’s vision comes to life with various people from all walks of life.

Emotionally striking, the artists of the DEMO pay tribute to Prince with “Little Red Corvette.” The spirit of Prince eludes through everyone’s heart as the journey of one’s emotions commence in honor of an icon.

Running Time: 90 minutes with no intermission.

DEMO: Place with Damian Woetzel starring Lil Buck performs one more time tonight 23, 2016 at The Kennedy Center Terrace Theater – 2700 F Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets call the box office at (202) 467-4600, or purchase them online.

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Choreography: Lil Buck, Ron Myles and Damian Woetzel

Directed By: Damian Woetzel

Performers: Lil Buck, Sandeep Das, Kate Davis, Johnny Gandelsman, Ron Myles, Cristina Pato, David Teie, Wu Tong

April 23, 2016
Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center

An icy Sunday evening turned into a lush and warm, and enjoyable evening inside The Kennedy Center with the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma. Many of DC’s dignitaries attended, including TV journalist Andrea Mitchell, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

Yo-Yo Ma. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

The concert began with an introduction from Washington Performing Arts (WPA) President and CEO Jenny Bilfield. She proudly shared with the audience about WPA’s Embassy Adoption Program which is celebrating 40 years. Each year 50 fifth and sixth graders in the DC Public Schools partner with 50 embassies where children are immersed in different cultures. A video was shown also to highlight the works of the WPA’s Embassy Adoption Program which ties in with the Silk Road. WPA produced The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma with generous support from Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather.

So what is the Silk Road? The Silk Road is a historical road of trade routes that brought together many cultures alone the route. The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma have been together for 15 years with stellar musicians from all over the world.

The incredible musicians include: Clarinetist Kinan , from Syria, multi-style cellist Mike Block from United States, bassist Shawn Conly from Honolulu, violinist Nicholas Cords from New York, tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das, violinist and composer Johnny Gandelsman from Moscow, percussionist and composer Joseph Gramley from Oregon, violinist and composer Colin Jacobsen from the United States, cellist and conductor Eric Jacobsen from the United States, virtuoso on the kamancheh Kayhan Kalhor from Iran, cellist Yo-Yo Ma from the United States, Galician composer, pianist and gaita virtuosa Cristina Pato, American percussionist and composer Shane Shanahan, percussionist and composer Mark Suter, Japanese-Danish performer and composer Kojiro Umezaki from Tokyo, pipe master Yang Wei from Taiwan, and sheng, bawu, and suona virtuoso and singer and composer Wu Ton from Beijing.

The concert started off with a bang with all 16 musicians on stage playing together. The percussion section was in the middle, on either side are strings, on the far left side was the clarinet and bagpipes and on the far right was the bawu.

The first piece was Side In Side Out by Kojiro Umezaki. It sounded Arabian. The drums and the horns on this piece made an enchanting sound. Also in use was a clacking instrument, which heightened the movement. The song went from very loud to very quiet. The bawu, a Chinese wind instrument, was played which sounds like a bird. The sitar and bawu answered each other. The highlight of this piece was the dramatic playing of the bawu by Wu Ton.

After this piece, the ever, ebullient Yo-Yo Ma addressed the crowd. “I’m so glad you made it! I hope you noticed the Iberian exhibit outside in the hallways. I’m so excited to be here.”

The composer of Side in Side Out, Umezaki shared, “I remember every conversation (with The Silk Road) the past 15 years. The memories come into the present as joyful and poignant.”

Ma responded, “My memory is fading fast!”

Ma then introduced the next piece Taranta Project by Giovanni Sollima who is from Siciliy. “Given the weather, imagine we are in Siciliy. What does it sound like? It is multi-layered culturally and you can hear it in his music.”

The Silk Road Ensemble then launched into Taranta Project. Only five musicians remained on stage. It started sweet and sad with violins and then drums. The drums picked-up the tempo. The strings flew. The coolest part of this piece was the drummer who used his own body as a drum and beat boxed. The audience LOVED it! The drummer even slapped his cheeks for musical effect. This song was all strings, drums, and cymbals. The violins sounded like the wind.

The third song was The Latina 6/8 Suite with Tarantella-Muineira, Tanguillo: The High Seas, Joropo-Festejo, Fandango: Prueba de Fuego. The piece was led by the multi-talented Galician Cristina Pato who played the bagpipes. Pato described the music as jazz with bagpipes. Nine musicians played. The piece started off with the bagpipes and drums with a lot clapping and foot stomping. The bagpipes definitely stole the show in this suite.

After an intermission,the audience was treated to Paramita by Zhao Lin. Paramita had eighteen musicians on stage. Instruments that were used inclded the piano, the bawu, the xylophone, drums, sitar and more. It built up into a crescendo and the loud crack of the drum made me jump! The xylophone was very pretty here, also cool sounding was the sitar. Also beautiful was the repeating of a theme by Pato’s piano playing which sounded like raindrops and the whole orchestra responded to it.

Next came Jugalbandi by Sandeep Das and Kayhan Kalhor. Das shared, “I feel I found a lost brother with Kayhan.” Four people performed this piece involving the tabla, violin, drums, and cello. In the beginning Das goes crazy fast on the tabla, which is quite impressive! All the artists had solo turns during the piece. The tabla and drummer then played fast together to awesome impact. Audience members stood to cheer after its conclusion.

The concert concluded with Wedding by Kinan Azmeh. Azmeh movingly dedicated the song to Syrians who have managed to fall in love the past four years during Syrian turmoil. He described the song happening in a Syrian village where the party is “long, loud, and unpredictable.” Just his dedication to the Syrian people gave the song poignancy and gave me goose bumps. The song involved 16 musicians. The highlight was the mandolin and clarinet in this piece. Azmeh plays the heck out of his clarinet ripping the high notes. The drums carry this piece as well.

After the final piece, the room came to a standing cheer.

The Silk Road Ensemble came out for a final encore and played two quick songs. One song was by Pete Seeger and the other an Indian song. The Pete Seeger song integrated the tabla, cello and sounded very country. The second song used the violin, xylophone, shake, drums, and flute. The xylophone and violin together was beautiful.

This was a magical ride of music that gave the audience chills, goose bumps and a way to appreciate all cultures of their beautiful gift of music.

Running Time: Approximately two hours and 15 minutes, with one 15-minute intermission.

The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo Yo Ma played one night only on March 1, 2015 at The Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall– 2700 F Street, in Washington, DC. For future Kennedy Center events, check their performance calendar.

RATING:

March 2, 2015