Greenville residents are invited to experience a unique musical dialogue at the Sigal Music Museum on Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. The concert, titled “Boundless,” pairs Chinese pipa virtuoso Min Xiao‑Fen with Ukrainian bandura master Julian Kytasty for a 90‑minute program that blends traditional repertoire, original compositions, improvisation and vocal song.
Ancient Instruments, Modern Conversation
The pipa, a pear‑shaped, four‑stringed lute that has been plucked for thousands of years, is celebrated for its bright, expressive tone. Xiao‑Fen explains that the instrument’s long history makes it a “storytelling instrument” capable of carrying memories and shaping identity. The bandura, a plucked string instrument with a distinctive array of strings, serves a similar role in Ukrainian culture, traditionally accompanying epic narratives and folk songs. Kytasty describes the bandura as another “storytelling instrument of the sort that once would have been used to accompany epic narratives.”
Both musicians emphasize that, despite their different cultural origins, the instruments share an expressive potential that makes their pairing especially intriguing. “Both instruments have bright sounds that create expressive melodies,” Xiao‑Fen notes, while Kytasty adds, “We’re working with instruments that have deep traditions, but we’re interested in creating new expressions.”
From Lincoln Center to Greenville
The collaboration debuted at Lincoln Center in April, where the world premiere and accompanying album were released. Since then, the duo has refined their interplay, moving fluidly between solos and duets, weaving together traditional music, original works, improvisation and vocal passages. Their goal, according to Xiao‑Fen, is simple: “Music can cross cultural barriers and bring us together.”
Local Roots and Global Reach
Both artists bring personal journeys that echo the concert’s theme of crossing borders. Xiao‑Fen, who spent many years in New York City, now calls Asheville home, while Kytasty has lived in New York’s East Village since the 1980s. Their experiences underscore the idea that cultural exchange thrives when artists are willing to listen, experiment and create together.
For the Sigal Music Museum, “Boundless” offers an opportunity to showcase two distinctive instruments and traditions in dialogue—a meeting of ancient musical voices with a contemporary sensibility. The museum, located at 516 Buncombe St., has become a hub for innovative performances that highlight the power of the arts to unite diverse communities.
Practical Details
Tickets range from $10 to $30 and can be purchased by calling 864‑520‑8807 or visiting sigalmuseum.org. The concert is suitable for all ages and promises an evening of cultural enrichment for families, music lovers and anyone interested in the shared humanity that music can reveal.
Don’t miss this chance to hear the pipa and bandura converse in a performance that celebrates both heritage and innovation, right here in Greenville.
Original reporting: Greenville Journal — read the source article.
