April 22, 2004
Music of Bali, Persia featured in concert
Two visiting artists in the UW Ethnomusicology Department will perform in a concert titled “Music of Persia and Bali” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27, in the Meany Theater.
Hossein Omoumi, an Iranian-born musician, vocalist and teacher of the ney, or Persian reed flute, will perform a program titled “Sarmast: Trance of Devotion.” The selection is part of a live concert he presented in Paris in 2003. The performance also features poetry and its title is inspired by a 13th century Persian poem that says the state of trance brought on by witnessing beauty demonstrates the devotion of God.
Omoumi teaches both music and architecture and has performed at many prestigious festivals worldwide. He will be joined by local guest artist Mehrdad Arabie, playing percussion.
Visiting artist I Wayan (Pak) Sinti of Bali is a lifelong teacher, performer, composer and researcher of Balinese music. He has studied with the most important Balinese musicians of his time and toured worldwide. Sinti even invented a new form of gamelan — a term for a Balinese musical ensemble of various instruments — that enables groups to play older, traditional repertoires as well as newer music with old scale systems.
Sinti will perform a program titled “Antik: The Roots of Balinese Music,” and will be joined by the UW Gamelan Gambuh Padma Sari, a student ensemble.
Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for students and seniors. Call 206-543-4880.
