EVERETT— Know what an erhu is?
An ancient Chinese musical instrument, it’s a two-stringed bowed fiddle of sorts. Perhaps you’ve seen it played on street corners in big cities with Chinatown neighborhoods or heard it on various recordings. Nine Inch Nails band member Joshua Eustis even plays one.
The news is that on Sunday — for the fist time ever outside China — the “Red Plum Blossom” Concerto for Erhu by composer Houyuan Wu will be performed in Everett
Renowned U.S. erhu soloist Warren Chang will play the piece with the Snohomish County-based Pacifica Chamber Orchestra as part of the chamber group’s annual Sunshine Concert at 3 p.m. Feb. 14 in the beautiful First Presbyterian Church of Everett.
The concerto is written for Western orchestra, but it also includes traditional Chinese percussion instruments, said Pacifica’s artistic director Fred Chu.
“The concerto depicts a love story,” Chu said. “Perfect for Valentine’s Day and the Lunar New Year.”
The remainder of the concert includes “Five Greek Dances for Strings” by Skalkottas, “Pastorale” Op. 147 for Wind Quintet by Darius Milhaud, “Piccola Oferta Musicale” for Wind Quintet by Nino Rota and “Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge” by Benjamin Britten.
Pacifica Chamber Orchestra performs five subscription concerts each season in Everett as well as outreach concerts for elementary students throughout the county.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
If you go
Pacifica Chamber Orchestra, 3 p.m. Feb. 14, First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. Tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for seniors and students. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets or at the door on concert day. More at www.pacificachamberorchestra.org.
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