Nepali band Sur Sudha

Sur Sudha, a three-member band founded in 1987, will give the first concert of the festival tonight at the concert hall of the National Orchestra of Traditional Music in Beijing.

The three musicians are Prem Rana Autari, Bijaya Vaidya and Surendra Shrestha. They disseminate Nepali folk music to the world on their three traditional instruments: the flute, sitar, a plucked instrument and tabla, a percussion instrument.

During the past decade, they have given more than 2,000 concerts in venues ranging from ancient Hindu temples to modern stages in the United States, France, Germany and many Asian countries.

In 1992, they co-operated with a Chinese orchestra of traditional instruments in the Asian Arts Festival in Hong Kong.

The three talented musicians have built a reputation for their innovative interpretation of Nepali folk tunes and for composing their own original music.

Prem Rana Autari is praised as the "golden flute" in Nepal. Music from his flute sounds like the singing of the birds flying over the high plateau.

Bijaya Vaidya is an expert and the music from his sitar features strong folk flavour.

Surendra Shrestha is the soul of the band, as his tabla plays the principal melody as the other two instruments accompany.

Their music offers listeners an opportunity to go on a musical journey through Nepal, from the Terai pastoral lowlands to the remote plateau area of Mustang.

Their music also describes how the two religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, live in harmony in Nepal.

Chamber Orchestra

As part of the Second "Meet in Beijing Arts Festival," the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will give a concert on April 25 at the Poly Theatre of Beijing.

Founded in 1975, the ACO has built an international reputation for its artistic excellence and adventurous programming.

Unmatched in its provocative expansion of the chamber orchestra repertoire, the orchestra's stylistic versatility allows it to perform on period instruments, as a small chamber group, as a small symphony orchestra and as an electro-acoustic ensemble.

The orchestra's Artistic Director and Leader Richard Tognetti assumed his position in 1989.

The appointment of this talented Australian violinist opened up an exciting chapter in the ACO's artistic history.

In Beijing, the orchestra will perform Haydn's "Violin Concerto in C," Dvorak's "Serenade for Strings," Sculthorpe's "Lament," Schubert's "Andante from the Death and the Maiden Quartet" and "Deviace" by Paganini/Tognetti.

Other highlights include:

Concerts by Prague Symphony Orchestra at Poly Theatre on April 21

Chamber concert by musicians from Moldova at Jinfan Concert Hall on April 24

Ballet by National Ballet of Israel at the Theatre of Beijing Exhibition Hall on April 27 and 28

Dance show by Star Modern Dance Troupe from Japan at the Theatre of Being Exhibition Hall on April 27 and 28

Dance opera "Soul of the Sea" by Qingdao Song and Dance Troupe from China at Poly Theatre on April 29 and 30

Variety show by song and dance groups from Sudan and Uganda song and dance troupes at Beijing Theatre on April 30

European pop music by singers from US, Germany, Greek and China at Poly Theatre on May 3

Concert by Chorus from Bahamas at Beijing Concert Hall on April 29 and at Poly Theatre on May 4

Verdi's opera by Central Opera Theatre of China at Poly Theatre on May 6 and 30

Dance show by Sher's Studio of Modern Dance from Australia at Poly Theatre on May 16

Concert by Chorus from Poland at Jinfan Concert Hall on May 17

Solo violin concert by Li Huiming from Singapore at Poly Theatre on May 17

Folk music by "Tsimbl" band from Switzerland at Jinfan Concert Hall on May 23

Ballet by Contemporary Ballet of Caracas from Venezuela at Poly Theatre on May 25

Pop Concert by top Chinese pop singers from Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan at Works' Stadium on May 27

Chamber concert by Stuttgart Chamber String Orchestra at Poly Theatre on May 28

Solo concert by Placido Domingo at Great Hall of The People on May 29

Concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra at Poly Theatre on June 1

(China Daily 04/20/2001)