Gig review: Dong Yi and Eddie McGuire

Published on Tuesday 26 May 2009 19:02

DONG YI AND EDDIE MCGUIRE **** QUEEN'S HALL, EDINBURGH

WORLD music collaborations are the taste of the times, but this coming together of China and Scotland in the shape of Dong Yi and Eddie McGuire was particularly satisfying. From the off, the duo celebrated the meeting of their respective traditions with bi-lingual introductions for each piece, and they also resisted the temptation to make meandering music based on "jammed" improvisation – something that often dogs these well-meaning cross-cultural encounters.

McGuire, who went to China with the Whistlebinkies back in the 1970s when such journeys were still intrepid, is a truly lyrical player. His vision illuminated pieces played on classical flute, notably Debussy's Syrinx and his own compositions including Dances for Peter Pan and The Albannach, as well as the experimental Dancing Memories and Prelude 3. While these were quite brilliant, the mellifluous tone he produced on bamboo Di-zi flute for the intriguing Chinese melodies of folk songs like Jasmine Flower and Kangding Love Song was truly breathtaking.

Dong Yi complemented McGuire by plucking gorgeous timbric sounds from her 21-string zheng zither. While this handsome rectangular wooden box held aloft on two plinths dates back some 2,500 years, Dong Yi's synthesis of limpid classical technique with passionate instinct brings it right into the 21st century. Her right hand embellished melodies with occasional zinging arpeggios for pieces like the extraordinarily modern Expecting Spring Wind, showing just why she is considered one of today's most gifted performers. She returns for the Edinburgh Festival: don't miss her then.