University Music Society Features Diverse Arab Music

posted on: Feb 25, 2013

The University Musical Society (UMS) presents four concerts in March 2013, ranging from world-class chamber music to global fusion.

The month opens with a UMS debut performance by the Berlin-based Artemis Quartet, performing a rich program featuring Mendelssohn, Bach, and Piazzolla (Wednesday, March 13). The following evening (Thursday, March 14), in Hill Auditorium, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter performs a satisfying and diverse program of contemporary repertoire, as well as works by composers from the mid-late 19th century and Mozart. Later in the week, Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble come together in Hill Auditorium to share traditions from various cultures, performing a program designed to explore, expand, and celebrate contemporary musical crossroads (Saturday, March 16). The following weekend continues in the spirit of cross-cultural exchange with a performance that seamlessly combines Iraqi heritage with American jazz: Hamid Al-Saadi Maqam & Amir ElSaffar’s Two Rivers. Hamid Al-Saadi is a master of the centuries-old tradition of Iraqi maqam, a system of melodic modes in traditional Arabic instrumental and vocal music. Al-Saadi’s Iraqi Maqam Ensemble is joined by Iraqi-American jazz trumpeter, santur player, vocalist, and composer Amir ElSaffar and his ensemble, Two Rivers, to create a sound that differs considerably from other contemporary cross-cultural musical fusions (Saturday, March 23).

Tuesday, March 12, 7 pm UMS on Film: Which Way Home
UM Museum of Art, Stern Auditorium, Free

Wednesday, March 13, 7:30 pm UMS Performance: Artemis Quartet
Rackham Auditorium, $

Thursday, March 14, 7:30 pm UMS Performance: Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Hill Auditorium, $

Saturday, March 16, 8 pm UMS Performance: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble
Hill Auditorium, $

Monday, March 18, 7 pm UMS Night School: It’s All Greek to Me: Milhaud’s Oresteian Trilogy
Ann Arbor District Library, Free

Thursday, March 23, 8 pm UMS Performance: Hamid Al-Saadi Maqam and Amir Elsaffar’s Two Rivers
Hill Auditorium, $