Originally aired on November 13, 2008.
Maureen Cavanaugh : You could say the silk road was the first step in creating a global economy. Nearly 2,000 years ago, it was founded as a trade route leading from China to India and Persia, then eventually to the old Roman Empire. And yes, silk was one of the valued items that traveled that route.
Music also traveled the silk road. Last fall, Tom Fudge talked with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra's artistic director and conductor, Jung-ho Pak, about their special Asian Silk Road concert that was held in November. Two musicians also performed for us during that interview using two exotic instruments. The world-class musicians were Min Xiao-Fen, a who played the pipa, or Chinese guitar, and Masayo Ishigure, who played the Japanese koto.
Guests
- Jung-Ho Pak , artistic director and conductor of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra.
- Min Xiao-Fen , pipa player and vocalist.
- Masayo Ishigure , koto player.
