Good Shepard Recital

One of the things that’s brought some zing to classical composition in the last, oh, 30 years is a deepened interest in folk music: Composers have been reveling in the exotic colors of ethnic instruments, exploring non-traditional tuning and harmony, and taking inspiration from other cultures’ spiritual and aesthetic values. Some of the newest and freshest sounds are coming from a mix of Eastern and Western traditions. The exchange works both ways: Asian-born composers infuse their concert music with sounds from their homeland, and European ones go ethnomusically exploring. Chen Yi, from the former group, is joining the Seattle Chamber Players for two concerts this weekend, bringing a pile of chamber-music scores by her compatriots to guest-program tonight’s Good Shepherd recital. On Sunday, with pianist Tomoko Mukaiyama and cellist Joshua Roman joining them at Town Hall, SCP plays music by Europeans looking east (including a movement of Mahler’s 100-year-old Das Lied von der Erde, his settings of Chinese poetry; no ethnic instruments here, but there’s a certain Zen-ish quiescence, if you listen for it). Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, www.seattlechamberplayers.org. $8-$12. 7:30 p.m. (Also: Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, www.townhallseattle.org. $15-$20. 5 & 7 p.m. Sun., April 27.) GAVIN BORCHERT
Fri., April 25, 5 p.m., 2008