Tangram x Mantawoman: YANG QUEEN

Mantawoman, alter ego of yangqin extraordinaire Reylon Yount, premieres her musical extravaganza about the heartbreaking beauty of change. Presented by Tangram.

YANG QUEEN is a kaleidoscopic experience of music, movement, animation and video art, centred upon the iridescent sound of the yangqin (a Chinese percussive string instrument) and Mantawoman’s charismatic performance style. Featured works include the Sundance Award-winning short film Reneepoptosis, Ben Nobuto’s i carry your heart for flute, yangqin and electronics, as well as original hypnopop songs by Mantawoman.

About Mantawoman

Mantawoman is a sacred siren tempting us toward change and self-transcendence through heartfelt musical performances. Her unique path as a yangqin player has carried her across genres, including Chinese folk, contemporary classical, modern pop, and experimental improvisation. Videos of her playing have garnered millions of views on social media. She couples this affinity for the internet with a deep-rooted history of rigorous musical practice. Trained in San Francisco and Beijing, she is a member of the GRAMMY Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble and an avid recording artist, featuring on soundtracks for Marvel’s SHANG CHI: Legend of the Ten Rings and Netflix’s 1899. Mantawoman’s talent has attracted illustrious collaborators ranging from Caroline Polachek to Yo-Yo Ma, who calls her work ‘courageous, passionate, truth-seeking’.

Tangram is a London-based artist collective nurturing transnational community by creatively celebrating Chinese cultures, mainly through music. Launched in 2019, they are currently Associate Artists at LSO St Luke’s, co-directed by Mantawoman and Alex Ho.

Read the concert programme (PDF)

Generously supported by Jerwood Arts

Header Image © Bill Knight