New Impossibilities

Always eager to break down barriers and inspire new platforms for learning, cellist Yo-Yo Ma wanted to see what would happen if the cultural institutions of one city focused all of their energies on a single event. Working with the city of Chicago, together they embarked on the yearlong city-wide celebration SILK ROAD CHICAGO. Inspired by the art and culture of the historic Silk Road, SILK ROAD CHICAGO ran from June 2006 to June 2007 and was created in partnership with Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Chicago Office of Tourism, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Art Institute of Chicago. From concerts and exhibitions to staged readings, film, dance and other art forms, there was a myriad of ways to trace the Silk Road through Chicago.

The culmination and one of the highlights of the celebration was a series of concerts Yo-Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble performed April 9-21. Joining the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on April 12, 13 and 17, Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble gave the world premiere of Ambush from Ten Sides which is based on a traditional Chinese melody. On April 15 and 20, Ma and the virtuoso artists from around the world that comprise the Silk Road Ensemble performed traditional and new works that are influenced by the rich sounds of the Silk Road.