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Monkey King Concerto is a new orchestral work by composer Mark Elliott in collaboration with Wang Zheng-Ting. The world premiere will be conducted by Benjamin Northey and performed by Orchestra X Melbourne with Sheng soloist Wang Zheng-Ting on Saturday 31 March 2.00pm at the Iwaki Auditorium.
Monkey King Concerto takes its theme from the classic Chinese novel, Journey to the West
and popularised by the cult TV series Monkey Magic.
Commissioned by Wang Zheng-Ting, Monkey King Concerto is the first original orchestral concerto for the Chinese mouth organ (sheng). This collaboration has resulted in the fusion of an ancient Eastern instrument with a full orchestra.
The concerto's musical program follows a story (based on real events) of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) Buddhist priest charged by the emperor to travel to India in order to retrieve the sacred Buddhist scriptures which would provide salvation to humanity.
Along the way, the priest meets Monkey and frees him from imprisonment under the Five Elements Mountain - trapped there by Buddha after Monkey gained supernatural powers with which he tried to destroy heaven. Monkey and the priest also come to acquire three other disciples, Pig, Friar Sand and the dragon-turned Horse with which they make their epic journey across mainland China to India. It is decided by Buddha that in order for the travelers to be worthy of the scriptures, they must endure eighty one hardships along the way. This gives rise to endless battles during which Monkey must muster all his kung fu skill, magic and supernatural strength to defeat a host of murderous demons and monsters.
The story unfolds through musical characterisation – the monkey (sheng, is a free-reed Chinese mouth organ), the priest (wood block), the pig (first trombone), Friar Sand (bass clarinet) and the horse (ostinato phrases on double bass & cello), all supported by Orchestra X Melbourne.
Wang Zheng-Ting is the founder and director of the Australian Chinese Music Ensemble, a scholar, lecturer and soloist of international acclaim. Mark Elliott is a composer who is currently completing a PhD at the Centre for Ideas, Victorian College of the Arts. His works have been broadcast on ABC Radio and TV and at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and The Hague (Holland).
Conducted by Benjamin Northey, one of Australia’s leading conductors and supporter of new Australian orchestral music. He performs regularly with leadings orchestras in Australia and Europe.
Mark Elliott and Wang Zheng-Ting will also perform works from their experimental duet, exploring a unique blending of modern electronic and ancient acoustic sounds.
Multicultural Arts Victoria presents
Monkey King Concerto
Venue: Iwaki Auditorium
Dates/Time: Saturday 31 March at 2pm
Tickets: $20.00 / $18.00 concession on the day. Pre-sale: $15.00 / $12.00 MAV members
Bookings: 9417 6777 or
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Saturday, 10 January 2009
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