Xiaogang Ye - Sichuan Image (Noriko Ogawa; José Serebrier)

Information

Composer: Xiaogang Ye

• Sichuan Image, Op. 70
• Concerto of Life, Op. 23c

Noriko Ogawa, piano

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

José Serebrier, conductor

Date: 2022

Label: BIS

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Review

This is BIS’s third album of music by Shanghai-born Xiaogang Ye, this time featuring music originally composed for film. Sichuan Image was commissioned by the Sichuan Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany a filmed travelogue and consists of 29 short pieces inspired by the history and scenery of China’s fifth largest province, which the composer visited before starting work on the project in 2013. In addition to local influences in the melodic writing, Ye’s score also includes parts for di (transverse bamboo flute), xiao (end-blown bamboo flute), pipa (four-string lute), sheng (mouth organ), erhu (two-string fiddle) and zhonghu (lower-pitched fiddle). Although the result is somewhat episodic, the fecundity and freshness of Ye’s invention sustains the listener’s interest and the solo instrumental writing is often ravishing. Adding to the interest of much of the orchestral writing is a notable undercurrent of melancholy not dissimilar to that found in the music of John Barry, in particular the latter’s non-soundtrack release The Beyondness of Things (Decca, 5/98).

The Concerto of Life dates from 2000 and is an adaptation of music composed for a film of the same name. Lasting 15 minutes and divided into seven movements, the music once again focuses on mood and atmosphere rather than development. The writing here, however, lacks the piquancy and distinctiveness of Sichuan Image and makes a slightly less strong impression. The performances of the soloists and orchestra are excellent throughout and the sound is of BIS’s highest quality.

— Christian Hoskins

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Xiaogang Ye (born 23 September 1955) is a Chinese composer who was educated at the Central Conservatory of Music and the Eastman School of Music. His extensive oeuvre spans orchestral, chamber, stage and film music, often integrating Chinese cultural, philosophical and natural themes. Major works have been performed internationally, including The Song of the Earth and music premiered at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Ye has held prominent cultural and academic leadership roles in China and abroad, received numerous prestigious awards, and was the first Chinese composer signed by Schott Music.

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Noriko Ogawa (born 1962) is a Japanese pianist who was educated at the Tokyo College of Music and the Juilliard School. She gained global recognition following success at the Leeds International Piano Competition and is widely praised for her artistry, particularly as an interpreter of Debussy. An exclusive BIS Records artist, Ogawa has released over 30 recordings spanning classical and contemporary repertoire, receiving major critical awards. Alongside her performing career, she is a dedicated educator, holding professorships in Europe and Japan, and is a frequent juror at major international competitions.

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José Serebrier (born 3 December 1938) is a Uruguayan conductor and composer. A prodigious musician, he graduated from the Municipal School of Music in Montevideo and pursued advanced studies at the Curtis Institute of Music, Tanglewood, and with Pierre Monteux. He made his New York debut at Carnegie Hall in 1965 and later served as Associate Conductor to Leopold Stokowski. Serebrier has toured extensively with leading orchestras worldwide and held notable conducting posts. His career is marked by exceptional recording success, including 37 Grammy nominations, 8 Grammy wins, and major Latin Grammy honors.

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