Chinese

In BIS' Chinoiserie, pianist Jenny Lin brings one of the most compelling and relevant themed recitals to be heard on disc in years, a collection of pieces by Western composers that attempts to explore the subject of China in some regard, not only musically but culturally.

The San Francisco Symphony under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas performs one of the most astounding symphonies in the repertoire, the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. What presumption by this 26-year-old French composer, to think that he could write and produce (he personally hired the players) a massive five-movement symphony! Strange things happen when presumption is matched by genius: the young man created an enduring masterpiece that is still fresh and exciting today, nearly 200 years later…

Min Hui Fen - Er-Hu Classic
Min Hui Fen / China Central Orchestra
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 274 MB | Full Artwork: 243 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Starlight Music International # DDD-31134 | Country/Year: Europe 2002
Genre: Classical, world | Style: Chinese Classical, Er-Hu

"The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles and large orchestras. It is the most popular of the huqin family of traditional bowed string instruments used by various ethnic groups of China. A very versatile instrument, the erhu is used in both traditional and contemporary music arrangements, such as in pop, rock, jazz, etc."

Blu-Ray disc contains 4 Barn Jams (with David Gilmour on guitar, Richard Wright on keyboards, Guy Pratt on bass, and Steve DiStanislao on drums), 4 album documentaries, 2 music videos (Rattle That Lock and The Girl In The Yellow Dress), 4 audio-only tracks (3 different mixes of Rattle That Lock and the Orchestral Version of The Girl In The Yellow Dress), and the album in 96kHz/24bit including 5.1 PCM and DTS Master Audio and Stereo PCM.

Documentary following the Chinese pianist, regarded by many as one of the most talented classical musicians of his generation, back to his homeland. Lang Lang's tour of China sees him perform a number of pieces, including 'The Yellow River Concerto', before an adoring crowd. The pianist also visits places from his childhood such as his family home (containing his first piano) and the local temple, reflecting on their importance to his growth as a musician and person.

On this disc Christian Lindberg joins the Taipei Chinese Orchestra in a programme of works for trombone and Chinese orchestra. The disc also includes one of his own works for the orchestra, inspired by the poetic sounds of the Chinese instruments: The Wild Rose. Also by Lindberg, Kundraan was originally composed for trombone and chamber orchestra but was re-arranged for this disc. Yiu-Kwong Chung has here adapted a famous aria from the Peking opera Cursing General Cao Cao into a striking piece in which the solo trombone is supported by the traditional trio of Peking Opera (clapper and drum, descant fiddle and lute) and orchestra.