Bright Sheng was born in Shanghai in 1955. He worked as a pianist and
percussionist in folk music and dance troupes and then went to the local
university. He moved to New York in 1982 and, among his teachers there were
Leonard Bernstein and Jack Beeson, famous for his terrific opera
Lizzie
Borden.
A number of his previous CDs have been
reviewed by MWI although he was a new name to me. Naxos, as
always, has been very enterprising in recording new works by relatively
unknown composers; one of the joys of reviewing is discovering these and
helping to making them more widely known.
The Song and Dance of Tears is influenced by the composer's
travels along the Silk Road in China. It employs a Sheng, described as a
kind of Chinese mouth-organ, originating over 2500 years ago and a Pipa, a
kind of lute, equally ancient. The music could be described as a concerto
for orchestra and is melodic and atmospheric. Various themes evolve and
there is strong instrumental colour. There is a real sense of emotion
through the work, particularly a lament for lost youth at the end. This
music is based more on impressions than direct illustration of the journey
and with some use of local folk songs.
Colours of Crimson was written for and dedicated to the excellent
Evelyn Glennie. The composer is aware of the marimba's limited range of
timbral variety and uses the orchestra to convey various tones. In this he
succeeds. The piece was written when Sheng lived in a remote part of North
West China and again is influenced by the folk music of that region. It
develops well from a very lively beginning to a more thoughtful and wistful
conclusion.
The Blazing Mirage is inspired by the Dunhuang Caves, which
preserve great Buddhist frescoes and art from 400 AD. The title comes from
the legend of a vision of one thousand Buddhas in golden lights. The cello
recitative at the start is based on a Central Asian classical motif called a
Mukam, whilst the orchestral theme is a well-known folk tune. Later the two
themes merge. If the first piece could be crudely described as
'Chinese Bartok', this could be described as an oriental Cello
concerto. Lovers of
The Protecting Veil should give it a listen. Of
all the concertante instruments my favourite is the cello and Sheng has
given the player great colours to produce. The interplay between Trey Lee
and the orchestra is exciting and melodic and brings this successful CD to a
splendid conclusion.
I did not take exception to the notes and sound quality.
A successful combination of Chinese melodies and the classical tradition.
This deserves to achieve wide recognition.
David R Dunsmore
