Standing Room Only at the Hollywood Bowl!

Last summer, the Silk Road Ensemble joined the ranks of artists Tim McGraw, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and Luciano Pavarotti, selling out the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.  On August 7, 2005, the theater’s 17,000 seats were filled as one of the most ethnically diverse audiences ever to attend a Hollywood Bowl event flocked to witness the sights and sounds of Silk Road music.

The performance brought together 22 members of the Ensemble, who performed pieces ranging from Persian and Chinese traditionals to new works – including Tarang by Indian tabla player Sandeep Das and Ambush from Ten Sides, an arrangementby sheng player Wu Tong of a traditional Chinese piece.  As always, the repertoire demonstrated not only the sheer virtuosity of each musician, but the incredible dynamism generated when these musicians play together, creating new sounds and textures.

Performing for an audience as vast as the Bowl’s provided an unusual opportunity to showcase the Ensemble’s unique instruments and repertoire. One of the most dramatic examples came during Mongolian composer Byambasuren Sharav’s Legend of Herlen, which features Western trombone, the ancient two-string morin khuur, played by Yo-Yo Ma, and sections of mesmerizing “long song” by Ganbaatar Khongorzul.  A lovely counterpoint was heard as the sounds of Blue as the Turquoise Night of Neyshabur floated above the crowd.

The evening ended with the sight of 17,000 people brought to their feet in thanks and appreciation, and the thunderous sound of 34,000 hands clapping, resonating throughout the theater.

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