Exploring the intricacy of Scottish and Chinese musical cultures. Including music by Mo Fan and Lau, alongside a new commission by renowned Scottish composer Jim Sutherland.

Internationally renowned as gifted musicians of the highest calibre, the Silk String Quartet has gained a profile as one of Europe’s best professional Chinese music ensembles for classical and contemporary music. Performing on traditional Chinese instruments – the pipa, yangqin, erhu and guzheng – they have performed with collaborators including Lang Lang and Damon Albarn, and at venues as wide-ranging as WOMAD and the Royal Opera House. They are joined here by Scottish double bass player Emma Smith, a regular with Eliza Carthy’s band and Gorillaz, who has forged a busy career for herself as a virtuosic player in both the folk and classical worlds.

The China Project explores the blend of Scottish and Chinese musical cultures, with traditional music from both countries performed by this unique ensemble. Including music by Mo Fan and Lau, the concert also features a new commission by renowned Scottish composer Jim Sutherland. This is a rare opportunity to hear these captivating instruments both in their own musical world and delving into a radical new one, where western and eastern instruments form a wholly new ensemble.

‘The idea of combining these stringed instruments is as new as silk is ancient… amazing timbres and playing techniques… evokes all the nuances of human emotions…’ Ethnotempos, France

Thursday 3rd November 2011, 7.30pm Eden Court Theatre, Inverness Tickets: £12 /£10 /£5 u18s /£2 Friends discount Available from 01463 234234 / www.eden-court.co.uk

Source: Jo Buckley