Inspired by the Silk Road, this concert focuses on the pipa, the foremost plucked string instrument, which has been found in similar forms across different regions, eloquently recounting the histories and stories of their lands.

Throughout history, plucked string instruments played in a ‘cradle’ position have flourished across diverse cultural landscapes, giving rise to a burgeoning musical repertoire that communicates the sights and sounds of different locales. This Chinese orchestral suite is structured in seven movements, highlighting the expressive qualities and tonal characteristics of the five-stringed and four-stringed pipa of China, the satsuma-biwa and shakuhachi of Japan and the oud of Turkey. Together they weave a colourful musical tapestry tracing back to the cultural heritage of the Silk Road.