Zurich, Switzerland – Museum Residency
August 28-September 2, 2007

Collaborating with the curators and education staff at the Museum Rietberg, the Silk Road Ensemble animated the Museum’s internationally renowned collection of Asian art with gallery performances, multimedia presentations, storytelling, school workshops and interactive tours.

The annual “Lange Nacht der Museen,” in which museums in Zurich feature special programs during extended overnight hours, was one of the highlights of the residency and drew over 4,000 visitors to the Museum Rietberg.

Museum Director Dr. Albert Lutz commented, “The Silk Road Ensemble once again warmed the hearts and opened the minds of everyone they encountered.”

Sixteen Ensemble artists traveled from Iran, Canada, India, England, Singapore, and the United States to participate in the residency at the Museum Rietberg. Four Silk Road Ensemble members—Ko Umezaki, Nick Cords, Mark Suter and Ben Haggarty—were on the planning team that worked with Museum Rietberg staff to prepare for the residency.

"Performing at the Rietberg Museum proved to be one of the most wonderful experiences that I have had in recent time. While I thoroughly enjoyed the performances, what was truly exciting was the interaction that occurred between me and the audiences. It is engagement such as that that makes sharing one's music magical."
- YANG WEI

“I thought the Rietberg residency was one of the more successful ones we've had to date. Having the curators as co-presenters of gallery programs significantly enhanced the connections one can make between music and art. It allowed me to make new discoveries that I will carry forward with me in my own work and I think there were reciprocal responses among the curators.

The audience for all the programs and performances, regardless of the scale of the event, seemed enthusiastic. For some reason, there seemed to be a great sense of sharing an experience among all participants, musicians, curators, and visitors alike.

Performing ‘Prince Achmed’ for an informed audience was great. Performing ‘Blue and White’ at the place where the first ideas for the piece were conceived was personally meaningful. Being able to take part in the first year of the beautiful new museum spaces was special. And, the openness of the museum curators and staff, who allowed for things like actually ringing the 3000-year-old Nao bell, I think, made it feel like we were all working together on a different kind of weeklong museum experience.

Many thanks to all for making it happen and trusting the several of us who were involved in the earlier stages of planning the residency. I hope it was a good experience for all.”
- KOJIRO UMEZAKI