What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1452753
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette F ans of orchestral music may not know the name of tabla master Sandeep Das or the music of Dinuk Wijeratne's Tabla Concerto. But on Feb. 26, they will learn "that the tabla can speak – almost as if it has a tongue," says Das, and that Wijeratne's concerto is "one of the best works of the 21st century," according to SoNA Maestro Paul Haas. Das will perform with the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Arkansas under Haas' baton, adding the Walton Arts Center to other prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall and the musicians of SoNA to a list that includes Yo-Yo Ma and Paquito D'Rivera. "I know we're going to be hearing a lot more about Dinuk Wijeratne in the years to come, [too]," says Haas, "and I'm thrilled to be able to bring this music to you." Das grew up in the small city of Patna, India. "The way I got into music is a fun story," he says. "One day, when I was about 8 years old, I was sent home from school with a note from my teacher. I had been disturbing the class by tapping on my desk, and when asked to stop, FEBRUARY 20-26, 2022 WHAT'S UP! 3 FAQ Symphony of NW Arkansas: 'Continental Connections' WHEN — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26 WHERE — Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville COST — $35-$57 INFO — sonamusic.org FYI — The concert also includes Grazyna Bacewicz's Overture for Orchestra and Schumann's Symphony No. 2. See SoNA Page 4 COVER STORY 'The Tabla Can Speak' SoNA welcomes Indian drum master Sandeep Das Sandeep Das says he moved to Newton, Mass., around a decade ago and lives there with his wife. One of his daughters is working in Washington, D.C., he adds, and the other is currently in college in New York. (Courtesy Photo)