World Premiere of Digital Buddha II
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 8 PM
New Roulette
(509 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY)
New Roulette presents Interpretations Concert with two innovative projects integrating traditional instruments of Japan and Korea featuring composer Jin Hi Kim (komungo/electric komungo, Buddhist barrel drums) with Samir Chatterjee (tabla) and Thomas Buckner (voice)/Ralph Samuelson & Yoko Hiraoka.
Jin Hi Kim’s “Digital Buddha" begins with a hypnotic, contemplative video mandala and the ancient 4th century acoustic komungo that is rooted in Buddhist meditation. The collaboration between komungo and tabla presents an Eastern calm in a contemporary time sense. Kim's solo on the world's only electric komungo has her processing the komungo sound through a personal computer program, electrified and altered sounds via MIDI foot pedal control of a custom MAX/MSP program. While staying true to the nature of the instrument, her electric komungo solo performance interweaves the timeless tradition with space-age blips. The collaboration between voice and electric komungo is an attempt to express the longevity of the sun. The program ends with a drum duo pounding for the dark energy of universe. The concert performed without breaks has a range of interlocking and overlapping images and music from quiet contemplation to romping ecstasy.
Tickets are $15 /$10 (students & seniors). To purchase tickets, visit http://www.roulette.org or call the box office at 917-267-0363.