Neighbor News
Bardin-Niskala Duo Perform in Heritage in Motion Concert Series
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra and Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center Collaboration
The Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (KTM&HC) collaborate to present Heritage in Motion: Identity Through Music - a music and history-based event featuring a performance by exceptional musicians the Bardin-Niskala Duo, designed to explore the part music plays in identity, promote cultural awareness, and celebrate humanity.
The duo is comprised of cellist An-Lin Bardin and pianist Naomi Niskala. An-Lin and Naomi met while living and teaching in New Haven, CT, shortly after they finished their studies at the Yale School of Music. An-Lin is of Chinese-American heritage and Naomi is of Japanese-American heritage. They have been playing together in their piano trio (Trio Kisosen) since 2016, and formed the Bardin-Niskala Duo in January 2021 in response to the sharp rise in anti-Asian violence and hate crimes across the United States.
Bardin and Niskala will present pieces that deal with historical events in the United States that are not often spoken about: stories of how the US government approaches and interacts with indigenous cultures (both Navajo and Hawaiian), specific ethnicities (the internment of Japanese people and communities during WWII, and the disparate treatment of Blacks in the US), and immigration issues (Venezuelan humanitarian situation). None of these stories will be presented from a political standpoint. Rather, the artists will use music to explore the ongoing stories and impact created by these historical events–decisions which continue to resonate through today’s generations and which shape our cultural and societal attitudes.
Music on the program includes Fantasy by Juanito Becenti, of which the composer writes ". . . music is a healing force and a mode of expression that people universally fall back onto for healing and other fundamental human needs...I've selected a Navajo song called Shi Naasha that was composed after the Navajo left Ft. Sumner where they have been imprisoned for numerous years after conflicts with the US, Mexico, and various other Native American tribes aligned with the US. After a period of conflict, the Navajo were rounded up in 1864 and forced on a walk from our traditional homelands to an internment camp 300+ miles away. Many Navajo died during that journey and those that survived were imprisoned until 1868 when a treaty was signed. The Navajo homeland is bordered by four mountains with the southernmost being called Tsoodzil (turquoise mountain) or Mt. Taylor in New Mexico. When the returning Navajo saw the mountain, they were overcome with joy and composed Shi Naasha. It talks about going in beauty and freedom."
The duo will also perform Breath Water Spirit by Michael-Thomas Foumai (Chinese-Samoan/Hawaiian born). Foumai writes "Breath Water Spirit is about identity; the name ancient Hawaiians gave their new home and the name of my home. I hoped to capture this ancient natural spirit of the Hawaiian Islands using the melodic contours of Hawaiian chant. These fragments of a chant undergo a tumultuous passage through time that implies, at the start, the undiscovered Hawai'i island, the arrival of the Hawaiians, the ancient battles for unification under Kamehameha I, through the overthrow, and beyond."
Other pieces on the program include works by Michi Wiancko (Japanese-American) and Jean "Rudy" Perrault (Haitian), and Victor Marquez-Barrios (Venezuelan).
“We are extremely fortunate to present the Bardin-Niskala Duo in our 2024 Heritage in Motion concert series,” says RSO Executive Director Laurie Kenagy. “These are exceptional musicians whose mission as an ensemble is to use classical music to explore identity, promote cultural awareness, and celebrate our common humanity.” The Duo’s humanistic approach to music is also strongly aligned with KTM&HC’s emphasis on diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with the RSO and feature the outstanding Bardin-Niskala Duo,” says Executive Director Hildegard Grob. “This programming connects deeply with our mission-driven work to present history truthfully and completely.”
The concert will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 7:00 PM at Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (152 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT). Join us for this marvelous, engaging and thought-provoking performance in the Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center’s Garden House - a wonderful setting for chamber music!
Tickets are only $25 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/35696/performance/11506325?performanceId=11506325 or by calling 203-438-3889.
