January 9: The Shakuhachi: Bamboo Flute of Japan, Elizabeth Reian Bennett

Local performer and teacher Elizabeth Reian Bennett is the first woman to become a grand master of the shakuhachi, a rank awarded by living national treasure Aoki Reibo, Japan’s foremost artist of this type of bamboo flute. Bennett will talk about the history and repertoire of the shakuhachi, which has a long and distinguished history in traditional Japanese music. Included will be musical selections performed by Bennett on the MFA’s magnificent shakuhachi from the 1930s by master maker Yamaguchi Shiro, as well as on  her own instrument. Elizabeth will play a piece to honor the memory of her student Morris Keesan as part of this  event. Morris, a lover of music of all kinds, was often to be seen in the front row at the music gallery lectures.

http://www.mfa.org/programs/gallery-activities-and-tours/the-shakuhachi-bamboo-flute-of-japan