World-renowned Silkroad Ensemble set for Oberlin show

Incomparable world music built around cultural collaboration and communication. That's what Yo-Yo Ma had in mind when more than a quarter of a century ago he conceived Silkroad, where diverse musicians created a musical language founded on difference. For the better part of a decade and a half, multipercussionist Haruka Fujii, who has won international acclaim for her interpretation of contemporary music and has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, has been a Silkroad member with fabulous results. "It all started with Yo-Yo's simple curiosity of what happens when the strangers meet and try to converse without words, communicate through the sounds," said Fujii, calling from the San Francisco area. "It's this whole journey of finding what kind of message that could be created when the strangers meet. "The outcome, the creation that comes out, it's very powerful. This experience that we share with the audience has been an amazing journey. It's changed my life." Silkroad Ensemble is currently touring its latest program "Uplifted Voices," which visits Oberlin for a performance Friday, April 26, at Finney Chapel. The ensemble — Fujii, Maeve Gilchrist (Celtic harp and vocals) and Karen Ouzounian (cello) — will be joined by pipa player Wu Man, flutist and vocalist Nathalie Joachim and Tuscarora/Taíno lap-steel slide guitarist and vocalist Pura Fé. The "Uplifted Voices" program was designed around the theme of the American railroad, which was selected by Silkroad artistic director Rhiannon Giddens, a 2000 graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College. "She wanted to spotlight under-spotlighted people and communities who actually made the American railroad," she said. "So this is a question of who made it and who is it for? I had this inspiration learning about the contribution part of my ancestors." Originally from Japan, Fujii through her research learned more than 12,000 Japanese immigrants during the mid-19th century helped complete the transcontinental railroad. "That was a really surprising discovery," she said. "Also, through this research, I found this old recording of Japanese railroad workers and this folk song that they sing that depicts like the motion of digging into the ground, so I took this as inspiration and then made my own version of the song." Audiences attending the Oberlin show will hear "Tamping Song," which may have begun as a Japanese-inspired piece but when performed by the diverse Silkroad results in a kaleidoscope of sounds, styles and genres. "I composed the structure, but they sort of add their elements in their color and in their artistry," she said. "All of the pieces have that element — someone brings in their story and all these different backgrounds of people add more layers. It's been a really fun and beautiful experience to read this program." Considering Fujii's heritage, the conversation shifted to discuss new Hulu and FX series "Shōgun." "It's on my list," she said. "So many people are talking about it. It's with my favorite actor, Hiroyuki Sanada." It's noted that if there's perhaps a sequel, Fujii's eclectic music in general and "Tamping Song" specifically would be perfect for the score. "That would be so cool," she said. Contact John Benson at ndiffrence@att.net. IF YOU GOWHAT: Silkroad Ensemble presents "Uplifted Voices"WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 26WHERE: Finney Chapel, 90 N. Professor St., OberlinTICKETS: $35. (Discounted tickets are $30 for senior citizens, military and Oberlin College staff, faculty and alumni. $10 for all students.)INFO: (800) 371-0178 or Oberlin.edu/artsguide.