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- Symphony 1997 'Heaven Earth Mankind' - HKPO/Tan Dun
Symphony 1997 'Heaven Earth Mankind' - HKPO/Tan Dun
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Tan Dun
Symphony 1997 'Heaven Earth Mankind'
Yo Yo Ma, cello
Yips Childrens Choir
Imperial Bells Ensemble of China
Tan Dun
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Commissioned for the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, Tan Dun has conceived a work which is both deceptively simple in places yet complex in others. “Symphony 1997 ‘Heaven Earth Mankind’” is, as the title suggests, in three parts with separate ‘movements’ within each. Because Yo–Yo Ma is the soloist and Tan Dun conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, this CD has the perfect air of authenticity. To perform this Symphony one would need a large amount of oriental bells and bell plates which might be difficult to either obtain or re–create so the chance of actually seeing a live performance is pretty slim. However, this sumptuous CD recording allows us to get some idea of what it must be like to see it. If you watched the TV coverage of the hand over you will have heard the ‘Song of Peace’ from this Symphony. The opening of the work is a Prelude which, after a short passage for the solo bells, introduces the ‘Song of Peace’. It is an incredibly catchy tune and the massed kids (Used throughout the work) singing a simple melody is contrasted with trumpets and the bells and drums. The tune is utterly memorable and Dun’s orchestration will lift any dark mood you may have. The recording of this section of the score is fantastic and one cannot imagine a better blending of the sound of all those involved. As there are 13 parts to the Symphony, we will restrict ourselves into pointing out some of the highlights. The constant shift between ‘traditional’ drums with chanting and the more Western style of music always holds our attention and Tan Dun manages the transition from the one to the other masterfully. About 11 minutes into the work, you will hear the Folk Song which Puccini used in ‘Turandot’. The ‘Dragon Dance’ is great fun. The prerecorded sounds from the the Temple Street Market are highly effective. Much of the score is quiet and full of atmosphere but it is never dull. Yo–Yo Ma has a strange but fascinating extended solo where he uses the cello to play in unusual ways as well as the more acceptable method. We suspect that this solo is quite taxing to play for anyone foolish enough to attempt it. For the finale, we return to the opening’s ‘Song of Peace’ in its full version. If you are after something which is different and a little challenging, then this CD is for you.
Recorded: 1997
Booklet contains a commentary in English/Chinese
Sony SK 63368
CD manufactured in Austria in 1997
Condition:
CD: Good, clean and unmarked.
Booklet: Clean and unmarked.
Case: Clean and intact - some discolouration and scuffing.
Slipcase: Clean and intact - some discolouration, scuffing and wear at edges.
Postage
Europe: £2.75
Rest of World: £3.00
Greece: £1.70
Please remember - this is a used/second hand CD!
Symphony 1997 'Heaven Earth Mankind'
Yo Yo Ma, cello
Yips Childrens Choir
Imperial Bells Ensemble of China
Tan Dun
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Commissioned for the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, Tan Dun has conceived a work which is both deceptively simple in places yet complex in others. “Symphony 1997 ‘Heaven Earth Mankind’” is, as the title suggests, in three parts with separate ‘movements’ within each. Because Yo–Yo Ma is the soloist and Tan Dun conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, this CD has the perfect air of authenticity. To perform this Symphony one would need a large amount of oriental bells and bell plates which might be difficult to either obtain or re–create so the chance of actually seeing a live performance is pretty slim. However, this sumptuous CD recording allows us to get some idea of what it must be like to see it. If you watched the TV coverage of the hand over you will have heard the ‘Song of Peace’ from this Symphony. The opening of the work is a Prelude which, after a short passage for the solo bells, introduces the ‘Song of Peace’. It is an incredibly catchy tune and the massed kids (Used throughout the work) singing a simple melody is contrasted with trumpets and the bells and drums. The tune is utterly memorable and Dun’s orchestration will lift any dark mood you may have. The recording of this section of the score is fantastic and one cannot imagine a better blending of the sound of all those involved. As there are 13 parts to the Symphony, we will restrict ourselves into pointing out some of the highlights. The constant shift between ‘traditional’ drums with chanting and the more Western style of music always holds our attention and Tan Dun manages the transition from the one to the other masterfully. About 11 minutes into the work, you will hear the Folk Song which Puccini used in ‘Turandot’. The ‘Dragon Dance’ is great fun. The prerecorded sounds from the the Temple Street Market are highly effective. Much of the score is quiet and full of atmosphere but it is never dull. Yo–Yo Ma has a strange but fascinating extended solo where he uses the cello to play in unusual ways as well as the more acceptable method. We suspect that this solo is quite taxing to play for anyone foolish enough to attempt it. For the finale, we return to the opening’s ‘Song of Peace’ in its full version. If you are after something which is different and a little challenging, then this CD is for you.
Recorded: 1997
Booklet contains a commentary in English/Chinese
Sony SK 63368
CD manufactured in Austria in 1997
Condition:
CD: Good, clean and unmarked.
Booklet: Clean and unmarked.
Case: Clean and intact - some discolouration and scuffing.
Slipcase: Clean and intact - some discolouration, scuffing and wear at edges.
Postage
Europe: £2.75
Rest of World: £3.00
Greece: £1.70
Please remember - this is a used/second hand CD!
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