For the Buffalo Philharmonic’s recent “East Meet West” program featuring music including Zhao Jiping’s Pipa Concerto, with soloist Wu Man, the orchestra partnered with the University at Buffalo Confucius Institute (UBCI) for several China-themed activities. In addition to red Chinese lanterns and other festive decorations on the Kleinhans Music Hall stage, prior to the Saturday evening performance on March 29 there were demonstrations in the concert-hall lobby on calligraphy, paper cutting, a traditional tea ceremony, and medicine. The UBCI, founded four years ago, promotes the international study of Chinese language and culture and has previously sponsored Chinese-language classes, Chinese New Year celebrations, student and teacher exchanges, and Experience China camps. Also on the program, led by Matthew Kraemer, were Charles Griffes’s The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan and Debussy’s Nocturnes.
April 1, 2014
