The Sound Of Tea
Countertenor and Chinese lutenist, Cheng-Ying Chuang is joined by Tea Artisan, Audrey Sun for an evening that explores a cultural and inspirational take on music and tea. Traditional yet creative, the event embarks on a journey of the tea ceremony with traditional Chinese folk music and the contemporary dialogue between the two that will refresh your senses.
The tea ceremony is a combination of Audrey’s own creation with elements of an ancient Chinese tea ceremony from the Tang Dynasty. Chuang’s music will provide a sound track to the ceremony.
The performance is inspired by Chinese tea culture and will convey important elements within this culture. This includes the local culture where the tea is grown and produced, the terroir and the flavour of the teas. The performance will concentrate on three distinctly different types of tea - Jasmine tea, Tie Guan Yin and Puer tea – all of which are unique in their production, taste, aroma and look.
All 5 of your senses will be catered for during the performance, for not only will you see the tea being prepared and hear the music, but you will also be invited to taste, smell and feel all the teas as well. All the tea used is the best premium quality loose leaf tea and is provided by The Chinese Tea Company.
Chinese lutenist (liuqin/zhongruan) & countertenor
www.cchuang.net
Born in Taipei, Taiwanese lutenist/countertenor Cheng-Ying Chuang studied Chinese lutes since twelve and read MMus at Birmingham Conservatoire in vocal performance with Julian Pike and Christine Cairns. He won the first prizes of Taiwan Music Competition in Liuqin solo and Orchestra conducting, the Voice Competition by Taipei Philharmonic Foundation, and 2nd prize of Cecil Drew Oratorio Competition. He was awarded the Young Star 2008 in Taiwanese National Concert Hall. He performs both Chinese and Western music in Early, classical, contemporary styles and in multi-cultural/multi-artform projects in Europe and Taiwan. He has worked with organizations/artists such as Asian Music Ciucuit, Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra (liuqin concerto soloist), composer Eddie McGuire, British band “Blur” musician Damon Albarn, Chinatown Arts space, Step Out Arts, London Chamber Music Company, Silk String Quartet, Edinburgh iMAP Ensemble, London Symphony Chorus…
'Hauntingly beautiful.’ – The Herald, Scotland.
'With the humble depth of the East and the passion of the West' - Neue Westfälische, Bielefeld, Germany.
Tea Artisian
Audrey Sun has spent last five years practicing the Chinese tea ceremony and studying the theme of health preservation in tea with her tea master, who is the foremost exponent for the Tang Dynasty Tea Ceremony in Beijing, China. Through self-study, Audrey has gained knowledge of tea from various sources such as the classic tea book by LuYu, who wrote the first “Cha Jing” in the world during the Tang Dynasty (AD 780). She has also studied traditional Chinese Medicine and read such books as “The book of Changes” which was written about 5000 years ago, and the “Huang Di Nei Jing” (Classic of Internal Medicine) was completed around 2200 years ago. Audrey regularly does workshops on the Chinese tea ceremony at the Chinese Tea Company and also at private parties in London.
The Sound of tea @ The Forge
Date: Thursday 10th March 2010
Time: Doors open at 19:00 event starts at 19:30 - 21:00 (20 mins interval)
Price: £12 (£10 concs) book online in advance; £15 (£12 concs) on the door
Please buy the tickets Available on the Forge Website
The Forge Location
