The Instrument From the Silk Road | Tasmin Little

Apr 11 , 2021 | Culture

Play Video

The yangqin is a traditional Chinese instrument that originated from Iran when connections created by the Silk Road opened up ideas and cultures. In her first interview as our Music Contributor, international concert violinist Tasmin Little speaks to Reylon Yount, a Chinese American graduate from Harvard who plays the yangqin as a soloist and with Yo Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble. He recalls his unlikely story with the instrument, which he began learning in San Francisco and later in Beijing where his mother's family are from. 

SEE MORE EPISODES

Recent Episodes
  • Apr 16 , 2021 | Social Good
    For a decade, Dr. Margaret Chan served as the world’s health chief. Now, she is the Founding Dean of Tsinghua Vanke School of Public Health, a center of innovation in Beijing that seeks to link "health" to "humanity" in a time of global need. It is reinventing how we approach health by addressing big global challenges in parallel, from the planet to the current pandemic. This is the first episode of 'From The Well', a new conversation series where our Host James Chau sits down with global experts.
  • Apr 15 , 2021 | Culture
    In this second episode with international concert violinist Tasmin Little and yangqin player Reylon Yount, they explore the relationship between our planet and the music they perform. As one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet, China's culture has a strong link to the natural world, from the designs on its traditional instruments, to the melodies that inspired its composers. Tasmin, our new music contributor, draws on Reylon's background as an environment major at Harvard and how he merges this interest with his musical career.
  • Apr 07 , 2021 | Social Good
    For over a year, we’ve responded to the pandemic by bringing you voices, stories and interviews. Now, we redouble our commitment with From The Well — a new series where James Chau converses with global experts in health and explores the social and economic dimensions. Join us as we begin this new journey.