By Candice Boyle
MUSIC enthusiasts will be given the rare opportunity to see The Melbourne Philharmonic Chinese Orchestra perform in Footscray this weekend.
The Footscray Community Arts Centre has secured the orchestra and founding musician, Shen Pangeng, for a free performance on Sunday.
Mr Pangeng has become a good friend of the centre following his solo performance last year, which was a highlight of the centre’s free music program.
The centre’s communications coordinator, Wendy Morrison, said it was delighted to be able to bring Mr Pangeng’s unique musical sounds back to Footscray.
Mr Pangeng is a master of the erhu, China’s traditional two-stringed bowed instrument, and has been captivating audiences with its sound for decades.
Mr Pangeng settled in Australia in 1989 and established the Melbourne Philharmonic Chinese Orchestra in 2003.
It is believed to be the only Chinese orchestra in the world with performers from predominantly non-Chinese backgrounds.
Ms Morrison said the 30-piece orchestra had included Footscray on its tour list after performing in various locations around the state.
“Mr Pangeng’s mission to introduce the sounds of the erhu to Western audiences has led him to adapt all kinds of popular and Western music for the instrument, and this concert is no exception,” she said.
Ms Morrison said the concert would include an eclectic repertoire of traditional and contemporary Chinese music and music from the Western world with solo features from the erhu and the Chinese bamboo flute.
The concert will be held this Sunday, 5 August, at 3pm at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Admission is free and bookings are advised. Phone 9362 8888 to reserve a place.
