![Silk Road Ensemble Credit: Max Whittaker 2011](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2017/01/7_SilkRoad_187_crop_©_2011_Max_Whittaker-300x195.jpg)
Silk Road Ensemble
Credit: Max Whittaker 2011
One of the first artists to cross the threshold into world music and jazz was violinist Yehudi Menuhin. In 1966, at a time when sitar music was relatively unknown, Menuhin collaborated with the phenomenal Indian musician Ravi Shankar. “I was extremely nervous at the thought of performing with him. The only time I have ever been as nervous was one Christmas when a BBC producer called to tell me that I would be playing jazz violin with Stephane Grappelli. ‘You love him,’ he said. ‘I do,’ I answered, ‘but I just don’t know how to play jazz.’” Menuhin and Shankar clicked. Their friendship continued for decades as they learned from each other’s work. West Meets East, released in 1967, topped the charts, winning a Grammy. The music of India created a stir and two more albums followed.
Indian Classical Music : Ravi Shankar, Alla Rakha and Yehudi Menuhin Trio
Video Historic video Shankar and Menuhin explain and play
Master violinist Itzhak Perlman, at ease in musical genres from Beethoven to Broadway, is one of our unparalleled musical ambassadors, popular with everyone. He has recorded with jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, and both of his widely acclaimed Klezmer albums “Live in the Fiddler’s House,” have received Emmy awards. Klezmer music, which comprises clarinet, violin, flute, accordion, and often guitar, trumpet, keyboard and vocals, played an integral part in the culture of Eastern European Jewry. Influenced by gypsy melodies, Balkan music, Israeli horas and folk music, it is infectious! Perlman’s playing can also be heard on the sound track to the film Memoirs of a Geisha. His gorgeous rendition of the movie theme Schindler’s List composed by John Williams, is much-admired. During the 78th Academy Awards, Perlman performed a medley of the five films nominated for Best Original Score. His many accolades include the 2008 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and whatever he plays—classical, jazz, hit tunes or Klezmer, he radiates a deep love for music.
Itzhak Perlman plays klezmer
![Perlman at the backstage at Carnegie Hall with Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth and Whoopi Goldberg after the November 7 Chita Rivera "Nowadays" concert](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2017/01/Perlman-and-friends--300x225.jpg)
Perlman at the backstage at Carnegie Hall with Ben Vereen, Kristin Chenoweth and Whoopi Goldberg after the November 7 Chita Rivera “Nowadays” concert
Bela Fleck
Paganini: Moto Perpetuo
Fleck and Meyer co-composed a double concerto for banjo and bass, and The Melody of Rhythm—trio concerto for bass, banjo and Indian tabla, played by Zakir Hussain. Fleck also wrote a banjo concerto in 2011, and a quintet for banjo and string quartet, on the Deutche Gramophone label. His bluegrass band the Flecktones still performs.
Fleck, J Bell, G Hoffman
Debussy: Gradus ad Parnassum arr by Meyer: for banjo violin and cello
After a sensational Metropolitan Opera debut in 1974, Kiri Te Kanawa branched out with several recordings of Broadway tunes including an album of Cole Porter.
Kiri Ti Kanawa
Cole Porter – Can-Can: I love Paris (arr. P. Matz)
![Renée Fleming Credit: Andrew Eccles](https://interlude-cdn-blob-prod.azureedge.net/interlude-blob-storage-prod/2017/01/W4ReneeFlemingVerisimo1-300x164.jpg)
Renée Fleming
Credit: Andrew Eccles
Renee Fleming – Oxygen (dark hope)
Yo Yo Ma has done more for bringing music of other cultures and genres to the fore than perhaps anyone. He has collaborated with non-classical artists such as vocalist Bobby McFerrin, on the album Hush, and tango composer Astor Piazzolla, on the album The Soul of the Tango. In 2000 Yo Yo extended further. The recordings Appalachian Waltz and Appalachian Journey with Edgar Meyer, bass and Mark O’Connor, violin, attempt to fuse classical music, American traditions of Appalachian, and bluegrass music, and showcases the outstanding talent of the musicians. The albums feature original compositions and standards from the repertoire. Then in 2013, Yo Yo recorded the Goat Rodeo Session with Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile, which won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album that year. Yo Yo has also appeared on movie soundtracks including Tan Dun’s score for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Yo Yo and The Silk Road Ensemble: Arabian Waltz
Ma’s statesmanship can perhaps be best exemplified in his Silk Road Ensemble, and the recent documentary The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, which brings together world-class performers who are dedicated to multicultural exchange. The Silk Road Project says it best, “Curiosity. Creativity. Generosity. Passion. The same qualities that make a Silk Road Ensemble performance great can change our world for the better. That’s why we bring these values off stage too, working to deepen learning and strengthen global understanding.” Unusual instruments from Middle Eastern and Asian nations infuse the music with mesmerizing rhythms and improvisatory melodic lines. Music of all cultures reveals possibility and creates hope.
Yo Yo Ma – The Music Of Strangers – Official Trailer