With this program, Rhiannon Giddens aims to shine light on previously under-recognized voices, genres, and musical traditions. Her performance with the Silkroad Ensemble in Phoenix Rising is her first since beginning her tenure as Artistic Director of the organization, which was founded by cellist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma in 1998.
Giddens and Silkroad aim to coalesce her unique worldview with the Ensemble’s collective experience during the pandemic to put together a program that aims to feature a cross-section of Silkroad’s award-winning compositions and arrangements; four major new commissions by Silkroad artists Shawn Conley, Sandeep Das, Maeve Gilchrist, and Kaoru Watanabe; and new arrangements by Giddens, Colin Jacobsen, Edward Pérez, and Mazz Swift.
