~What people have said about the Silk Road Ensemble~

Here is just a selection of what has been said about the group in the press

and by the faculty of universities we’ve performed for.

 

 “The energy of your music, the dynamism and charisma of your performance, and the sheer excellence of the music you played all made for a magical night.  Thank you thank you thank you!”

~Benjamin Rifkin
Director of Center for Russia, E. Europe & Central Asia. UW, Madison (2004)

 

"This letter is my effort at giving still another big round of applause for this most delightful, enriching and enlightening afternoon of instrumental, vocal and fashion show entertainment narrated by the charming and talented director of the Silk Road Ensemble, Mr. Shahyar Daneshgar, whose group has been promoting the music and cultures of Central Eurasia and the Middle East since l992."

~Virginia Myerson
Full text is available in the August 8, 2005 edition of The Herald-Times.
 

“Before attending [the 2007 Silk Road Bayram], I had no idea how all the countries encompassing the Silk Road have had influence on our daily lives and culture… World musicians performed, and demonstrations of Silk Road culture were conducted; then, there was a fabulous fashion show from all these countries.
“The music was phenomenal and transported me to faraway lands.”

~Lori Sears
Letter to the Editor of The Herald-Times, August 18, 2007 edition.
 

"While I was in Bloomington, I had a chance to hear the Silk Road Ensemble in concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater... If the Silk Road Ensemble ever plays near you, run–don’t walk–to the ticket office…"

~Lauren Cejarvik
Full text is at available in the October 20, 2004 edition of The Herald-Times,
Article titled “Marco Polo in the Cornfields”
 

And now for a rave review of a 2004 performance by Munis Sharifov,
the kamancha virtuoso scheduled to join the Ensemble in the spring of 2008:

“Every technical trick in the book was attempted and accomplished, but always for the cause of music, not show. The effect was hypnotic… Sharifov then introduced a trio of compositions from his homeland… that brought not only more evidence of amazing agility with bow and fingers on those strings but also his emotional ties to the music.”

~Peter Jacobi
Full text of the review can be found in the November 24, 2004 edition of The Herald-Times
Review titled “Patroness of music would be pleased”