June 7, 2004

YO-YO MA AND THE SILK ROAD ENSEMBLE TO PERFORM IN SINGAPORE, TAIWAN AND KOREA

NEW YORK, June 7, 2004 - Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble will travel to Singapore, Taichung, Taiwan and Seoul, Korea, in June for a series of concerts that blend traditional and contemporary works, which resonate a theme of musical exchanges between Eastern and Western cultures. The concerts will feature Silk Road Project commissioned works by composers from Silk Road countries including Azerbaijan, China, Korea and Uzbekistan. The Silk Road Ensemble will also perform traditional music from India, China and Iran, as well as Western classical repertoire that was influenced by the "root" musical traditions of the Silk Road. In addition, an exciting new multimedia work entitled "Journey to the South," developed by the musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble, featuring an 18th century Chinese scroll, Chinese traditional music, film and storytelling, will have its Asian premiere in Singapore.

The Silk Road Project's Artistic Director, Yo-Yo Ma, and the internationally recognized Silk Road Ensemble continue to collaborate in creating innovative musical compositions and programs that illuminate the historical legacy of the Silk Road. As Ma comments, "By listening to and learning from the voices of an authentic musical tradition, we become increasingly able to advocate for the worlds they represent."

The Silk Road Project is a not-for-profit arts organization that acts as an umbrella organization and common resource for a number of artistic, cultural, and educational programs. Founded in 1998 by Yo-Yo Ma, the Silk Road Project strives to bring new ideas, talent, and energy into the world of classical music, while nurturing musical creativity that draws on the wonderfully diverse and distinguished sources of cultural heritage around the world. The Silk Road Project promotes collaboration and a sense of community among musicians, audiences, and institutions who share a fascination with the transcultural artistic imagination symbolized by the Silk Road. For more information on the Silk Road Project please visit www.silkroadproject.org.

The Aga Khan Trust for Culture is the lead funder and key creative partner of the Silk Road Project. Major support has been provided by the Starr Foundation.