Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble explored the music of the famed trade route, and for this New Sounds program, we’ll follow some of the side roads, featuring musicians from the Silk Road Ensemble.

Hear from Japanese composer and shakuhachi player Kojiro Umezaki, who incorporates both traditional instruments and technology into his work. We’ll hear one of Umezaki’s compositions, performed by Brooklyn Rider (also musicians of the Silk Road Ensemble.) There’s might also be music by Russian/gypsy violist Ljova, and perhaps the piece, “Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain” by Angel Lam, featuring marimba and shakuhachi. Plus, music by pianist Gabriela Lena Frank, a composer of both Chinese/Peruvian and Jewish/Lithuanian descent whose multicultural heritage is reflected in her works. We’ll hear her “Anchino Rhythms,” which features charango, a small mandolin-like instrument adopted by the Indians that can sound very similar to the Chinese pipa. And more.

PROGRAM # 3041, Silk Road and Service Roads (First aired on Tues., 02/23/10)