The Shengsheng Sizhu Ensemble, featuring performers Li Ya, Yuan Jiaqi, and founder Fan Linfeng, will perform a concert of Jiangnan Sizhu.

Sizhu, meaning silk and bamboo, describes musical instruments with those materials, played in ensembles from the Jiangnan region near Shanghai. The name Shengsheng signifies the connection between tradition and modernity, the continuous flow of musical life, and echoes the improvisatory spirit of Jiangnan Sizhu, in which endless variation is a hallmark of its aesthetic.

Through elegant and nuanced performances, the ensemble reveals the subtle melodies, flexible forms, and profound cultural depth of Jiangnan Sizhu, complemented by brief explanations to guide the audience in appreciating the aesthetic qualities and cultural significance of this ancient art.

This concert, presented in conjunction with the Analytical Approaches to World Music Conference, is hosted by the Department of Music and open to the public.