Ju Percussion Group Photo: Supplied
Ju Percussion Group, Taiwan’s first professional percussion ensemble, was founded in 1986 by Tzong-Ching Ju, who still leads the group today.
The ensemble is in New Zealand for the first time - it'll be the 35th country they've performed in.
Their Auckland Arts Festival concert will include Kyoto, a work written by New Zealand composer John Psathas for the group’s 25th anniversary back in 2011.
Kuan-Yean Hwang, Ju Percussion Group Photo: WANG, CHUN KAI
Pei-Ching Wu, Ju Percussion Group Photo: WANG, CHUN KAI
John Psathas and two senior members of Ju Ensemble, Pei-Ching Wu and Kuen-Yean Hwang, came in to the RNZ Auckland studio to talk with RNZ Concert’s David Morriss ahead of the concert.
"It's actually quite a big deal," says John, "to write for a group that has composers in it, and very, very good composers. In some ways, it lifts the challenge higher, composing for such a group."
"Something that’s very striking about Ju Percussion is the intensity with which they play everything. They bring everything to every note, and so it’s an incredible spectacle and musical experience."
"I would call it a ‘powerhouse group’ - there’s something very special about it.”
Ju Percussion Group performs at the Auckland Town Hall at 8pm on Saturday 15 March, as part of the Auckland Arts Festival.
