Kaleidoscope

KONA Quartet is a dynamic clarinet ensemble formed by musicians from Australia, Taiwan, and Singapore, brought together through their shared studies in the Netherlands. United by a passion for cross-cultural exploration, they use classical music as a lens to reflect on identity, tradition, and global connection.

Kaleidoscope marks the debut concert of the KONA Quartet. Much like the ever-shifting patterns of a kaleidoscope, this program offers a colorful journey through diverse cultural soundscapes. The quartet delves into music by composers who interpret cultures beyond their own—expressing fascination, homage, and sometimes romanticized imaginings of the ""other.""

The program features Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances, Claude Debussy’s Arabesque, Beethoven’s Turkish March, and Dutch composer Ton de Leeuw’s Apparences II inspired by traditional Indonesian gamelan. Through these works, KONA invites listeners to consider the nuances of cultural translation, appreciation, and the beauty of musical exchange.

Chen I-Ching: Clarinet
Lee Pinyi: Bass/clarinet
Simon Redshaw: Bass/clarinet
Stephanie Tan: Eb clarinet/clarinet
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