Erhu-Cello Duo: Wang Guowei, Michael Katz

Wang Guowei, virtuoso musician on the Chinese 2-string fiddle erhu, performs with cellist Michael Katz in a concert of East-West musical dialogue. The voices of two bowed instruments from different musical cultures are joined in contemporary works by Zhou Long, Lei Liang, Yang Yong, and arrangements by Wang Guowei inspired by Chinese classical and folk music that give new interpretation to the traditional.

The unique pairing of erhu and cello draws upon the natural affinity of the instruments and rapport between the artists. Wang Guowei has been hailed as a “master” on the erhu and Mr. Katz for his “bold, rich sound” and “nuanced musicianship.” The idiomatic voice of the erhu infused with rich ornamentation and nuanced colors becomes more poignant coupled with the deep, rich timbre of the cello and its broad musical vocabulary. Contemporary works performed by the duo include Zhou Long’s Taiping Drum, Lei Liang’s Gobi Polyphony and Yang Yong’s River Songs. Wang Guowei’s arrangements for the duo draw from the rich source of Chinese classical music, opera, and folk genres.