Children’s Japanese Flute Performance Feb. 10

Medford Arts Council recipient Elizabeth Reian Bennett will present a performance for children on the shakuhachi, a Japanese flute, on Wednesday, Ferbrury 10th at 10 AM at the Medford Public Library.

The monks who played this flute were wanderers who composed musical pieces that echoed the sounds they heard in nature. During this program the audience will learn how to bow and show respect; how to recognize deer, the moon, reeds and geese in the music; and how to breathe and sing a shakuhachi song.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

An evening concert, “An Introduction to the Shakuhachi”, also to be performed at the Medford Library, will be announce later in the year.

Elizabeth Reian Bennett is the first woman to be certified a Grand Master of the shakuhachi, which she has studied with Living National Treasure Aoki Reibo for over 30 years. Since her debut recital in Tokyo in 1984, Reian Bennett has performed in Japan and worldwide, from Australia and Europe to Mexico, Afghanistan and the United States. Her most recent Tokyo appearances were in April of 2012; notable venues include Tokyo National Theater and NHK TV. She has been interviewed on National Public Radio by Faith Middleton of Fresh Air, Robert J. Lurtsema of Morning Pro Musica and Richard Knisley of Classical Performances. Her CD entitled Song of the True Hand, was nominated ‘Instrumental Album of the Year’ by Jon Sobel at Blogcritics Magazine. She teaches privately in the Boston area and through the world music program at Tufts University. Reian Bennett’s next CD is a set of compositions for the shakuhachi written for her by Tufts composer John MacDonald.

– Information and photo from Elizabeth Bennett