88 Strings combines Chinese, Persian, and Western plucked instruments at Pyatt Hall on September 20

Debut concert by the powerful new ensemble features world premieres and melodious classics

88 Strings performs its debut recital at Pyatt Hall on September 20 at 7 pm

“PLUCKED STRING HEAVEN”: that’s how one audience member described the experience of seeing 88 Strings, a local quartet that mixes traditional Chinese, Persian, and Western plucked instruments: harp, guitar, zheng (from China), and tar (Iran).

The ensemble blends classical and world music, performing pieces written or arranged specifically for the group, which is made up of Dailin Hsieh on zheng, harpist Joy Yeh, tar player Ali Razmi, and guitarist John Oliver. The act grew out of Vancouver Inter-cultural Orchestra, which sponsored its first concerts and composer workshops.

Having made its concert debut in June 2022, the powerful 88 Strings is performing a program of classical music from the cultures of Spain, China, Persia, France, and Canada on September 20. The event features world premieres of two compositions, commissioned by the ensemble, by Canadian composers Jin Zhang, who’s from Vancouver, and Lethbridge, Alberta’s Scott Godin. Also on the program are melodioius classics by Enrique Granados and Erik Satie, an arrangement of a work by Chinese composer Wei-Guang Liu, new inter-cultural music by Iran’s Farshid Samandari and ensemble members Oliver and Razmi, and more.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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