Composer Andy Akiho (left) and percussionist Terry Sweeney at the concert in Beijing on Oct 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
On Oct 11, composer Andy Akiho and Sandbox Percussion presented the composer's Seven Pillars, a trailblazing work that redefines how one listens to and experiences music, at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.
According to the composer, Seven Pillars, commissioned by and dedicated to Sandbox Percussion, is an 80-minute, 11-movement suite for percussion comprising seven quartets surrounding four solos that reflect the personality of each performer.
Composer Andy Akiho and Sandbox Percussion at the concert in Beijing on Oct 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
With Akiho guiding the vision, the music piece is more than a concert with integrating stage director Michael McQuilken's colorful lighting effects and stage design, adding up to a tightly choreographed multicolored dance of light and sound.
The journey of Seven Pillars began eight years ago in 2013 and culminated in a world premiere of the entire suite by Sandbox Percussion at Emerald City Music in Seattle on Dec 3, 2021. The 2021 album, Seven Pillars, was nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Zou Shuang, artistic director of Beijing Music Festival, and composer Andy Akiho (right) at the concert in Beijing on Oct 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"The inspirations for this work are deeply personal, and it was written for the performers more than the instruments," said Akiho in an interview before the concert in Beijing. "This piece does not have a concrete narrative, although I have a personal storyline that fits my life journey, and I encourage the listeners to experience the music in their own adventure."
Sandbox Percussion performs the music piece,
Seven Pillars, at the concert in Beijing on Oct 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The story of Sandbox Percussion began in 2011, when musicians Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum, and Terry Sweeney were brought together by their love of chamber music and the simple joy of playing together. They have since captivated audiences with performances that are both visually and aurally stunning.
Sandbox Percussion performs the music piece,
Seven Pillars, at the concert in Beijing on Oct 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The Beijing concert was part of the 27th Beijing Music Festival. According to the festival's artistic director Zou Shuang, in 2015, Akiho was commissioned by the festival to write the Ping-Pong Concerto in which an orchestra, a violin soloist, a percussionist and two table tennis players worked together. A real table for the match was set up in front of the members of the China Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Zhang Yi's podium. The music piece received warm feedback from the audience.
