Zhu Xiao Mei,

Née à Shanghai en 1949, l'année de l'arrivée au pouvoir de Mao, la pianiste Zhu Xiao-Mei est réputée pour ses interprétations profondes et limpides de Jean-Sébastien Bach, son compositeur de prédilection. En 1969, toute jeune artiste en passe d'achever sa formation, elle subit de plein fouet la révolution culturelle lancée par Mao. La musique classique est proscrite comme l’un des symboles de l’Occident impérialiste et ceux qui ont fait vœu de la servir, comme elle, sont sévèrement réprimés. Zhu Xiao-Mei est condamnée à cinq années de "rééducation" puis à cinq autres années de camp de travail, en Mongolie intérieure, avant de réussir à quitter la Chine pour se consacrer à son art.

“In this work,” says Zhu Xiao‐Mei, “Bach gave musical expression to life in all of its infinite facets.” The Chinese pianist’s name is inextricably linked to that of Johann Sebastian Bach. For Zhu Xiao‐Mei the special quality of the Goldberg Variations lies in the fact that all human emotions and feelings find expression here. “I love them above all else, each day a little more, and I have always wanted to share this love with others…”

Nel '68, gli studenti manifestavano sventolando il Libretto rosso del presidente Mao. Nel frattempo, in Cina, la Rivoluzione culturale mieteva vittime proprio tra i giovani. Una di questi, al tempo studentessa di musica, decide pochi anni fa di ignorare l'insegnamento del padre, di «andarsene in silenzio, senza lasciare traccia», e raccontare invece la sua storia, e quella di un'intera generazione di giovani sottoposta a un diffuso lavaggio del cervello e convinta della giustezza di un'ideologia che li costringeva alla delazione e alla denuncia, oltre a togliere loro ogni libertà. Uccidendoli anche nell'anima: commoventi il rimorso, il dolore e il pentimento di Zhu Xiao-Mei per aver creduto alle menzogne del maoismo e avere agito di conseguenza. È anche per «chiedere scusa», che l'autrice scrive, ed è proprio il pentimento, tra i tanti sentimenti contrastanti, ad animare la sua scrittura..

It is with children in mind that I recorded these French Suites, always having heartfelt simplicity and purity in their mind. Children see the world with hope, optimism, and cast in light much like Miró sees the world. I find a childlike purity in him, similar to what I hear in the French Suites. There is a quote by Miró that touches me enormously and makes me think a lot whenever I play, as it reflects something that may be the most difficult aspect of musical interpretation and of art in general: 'To gain freedom is to gain simplicity' - Zhu Xiao-Mei.

As in years past, all of our top ten CDs received a 10/10 rating from both the English and French-language sites (and from anyone else with the taste and discernment to agree with us). A few words about our choices: 2009 was a "Haydn Year," and we have two selections of particular merit: Zhu Xiao Mei's marvelous disc of piano sonatas on Mirare, and the Auryn Quartet's Op. 17 string quartets for Tacet. This set deserves special mention, as the complete cycle is shaping up to be far and away the finest yet recorded. If you thought that the great Haydn quartets started with Op. 20, then you must hear this release.

Born in 1999 in the Chinese province of Gansu, Chen Xue-Hong was quickly selected as part of the training program for the most talented students at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Zhang Xinning, Wei Danwen, and Du Taihang. He has won several national and international competitions as a young pianist, including the Chopin Competition in Beijing, the Astana Competition, the Horowitz Competition, and the St. Petersburg Competition. He has also already given numerous concerts in China as well as at prestigious venues in Europe and the United States.

Yunjie Chen was born in Jiaxing city (Zhejiang province, China). Displaying extraordinary talent at a young age, Chen Yunjie's gifts were nurtured at the Shanghai Music Conservatory. Chen Yunjie subsequently earned degrees from the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music. His mentors include You Dachun, Shao Dan, Wu Ying , Phillip Kawin, Yoheved Kaplinsky, Matti Raekallio and Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Chen Yunjie won first prize in the national piano competition of China at the age of twelve. He then won the China international piano competition in 1994.