McCain Performance Series brings world's largest stringed instrument to stage for 'Earth Harp Meets Oud'
Thursday, March 27, 2014
MANHATTAN — The world's largest stringed instrument is coming to Kansas State University's McCain Auditorium stage — and beyond — for "Earth Harp Meets Oud" at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, as part of the McCain Performance Series.
Invented by installation artist and musician William Close, the earth harp's body will rest on the McCain stage while its golden strings will soar above the heads of the audience and attach to the balcony rails, turning the theatre into an instrument. Wearing gloves covered with violin rosin, Close runs his hands along the strings to create cello-like tones that will resonate throughout the theatre.
On the oud will be Yuval Ron, a musician, composer, educator and record producer. Among his many accomplishments and honors, he composed the music for the Oscar winning film "West Bank Story" and was invited to perform for the Dalai Lama. Ron is the musical director and oud player for the Yuval Ron Ensemble. Considered the ancestor of the guitar, the modern oud's roots can be traced to the ancient lute of the Middle East.
"Earth Harp Meets Oud" also will feature Norik Manoukian on Armenian woodwinds and Jamie Papish on percussion.
Tickets for "Earth Harp Meets Oud" are $9-$45, plus applicable taxes and fees, and are available now at the McCain Auditorium box office, online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain, or by calling 785-532-6428.
This concert is part of Kansas State University's Creativity Illuminated, April 3-6, a celebration of cultural awareness with special musical performances, discussions, film screenings and more presented by artists-in-residence. Sponsored by the university's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, K-State Libraries, McCain Auditorium and the School of Leadership Studies, Creativity Illuminated offers four days of activities designed to foster creativity, promote academic discourse and encourage cultural awareness on campus and in the community by exploring arts, culture, history and more. For more information on Creativity Illuminated events, contact the Beach Museum of Art at 785-532-7718 or visit http://www.lib.k-state.edu/creativity-illuminated.
