Customer Reviews

Ahn-Plugged

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3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I do hope the cover of this CD doesn't scare away "serious" classical lovers! This is definitely classical. It's a collection of shorter classics, but that sure doesn't mean it's aimed for those with short attention spans like one reviewer suggests. This music is, to quote, "charged and alive"! A lot of "today people" who are leery about classical music are likely to find themselves wound up in music especially composed for the Ahn trio by such composers as Henji Bunch and Eric Emazan. Diverse composers such as Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla and Leonard Bernstein are included, and most diverse of all, perhaps, is David Bowie.

These gals touch all the basses and show that there is indeed life in classical music.

These sisters cook with classical ingredients and have found in Kenji Bunch a composer who understands their dynamic and presents them with material that encourages them to expand their considerable talents. There is an attitude here that came off as a bit unbridled on the first CD, TRIOS, and may have set them against the mainstream of classical interpreters. That's a very good thing indeed, for having broken that stranglehold on how things should be played, they have managed to add a bit of steam to the chamber room. Sure it has to do with fashion and sensuality, but it did back in the day, when Wolfgang, Ludwig and Robert and Clara were heating things up. It all got too mannered afterwards, so when artists like the Ahns, or Kennedy, or any other adventurous soul upends the conventions, it is easy to jump on the surface differences as a way of avoiding dealing with the substantive issues at hand.
To my ears, they provoke the listener in what seemed like too comfortable assumptions about Piazzola, infused interest and intrigue into Bernstein where little besides Broadway and Americana star excess existed before, and have taken a Pat Metheny/David Bowie piece and brought classical drama to a terrific composition. Both writers should be duly flattered and impressed by the interpretation. And as I mentioned, with Bunch, they have a writer best suited to their own dynamic.
I am sure it helps that a set of twins are playing with their sister. There is a telepathy here that indicates they know when they are going to leap off the conventional cliff, and so the others respond by catching them in mid air. This disc makes for seductive and exciting listening. Listening to the Bosendorfer ring off the sensuality of the cello and the passion of the violin and that unbridled element is a source of wonder and enchantment.

The Ahn Trio sisters, with creative originality and bravura, have expressed in their latest CD "Ahn-Plugged" a certain charged flair reminiscent of free-verse poetry & free-form art: "the different styles of music co-exist to be shared and experienced by all without any rigid rules". Contributions from contemporary composers and artists alike (Kenji Bunch, Eric Ewazen, Michael Nyman) help make this compliation a true aural treat, as well as a demonstration of the triad's viruosity. "Concerto for Piano Trio and Percussion" fits perfectly as a catchy, percussion-filled opener; the bold-rhythm and energetic cadences characteristic of this piece seem to reappear in the CD's later tracks, namely Astor Piazzolla's "Primavera portena" and Eric Ewazen's "The Diamond World." Both pieces are also resonant, swift, somewhat jazzy, yet are also balanced by the tranquil calm, the interestingly eerie timbre of Kenji Bunch's "Slow Dance". For any Bowie fan, the last track, "This is Not America" provides a rather intiguing twist to a familiar tune, adding to it the sister's instrumental depth. As a whole, The collection provides pieces that are worth the constant revisits, & serves, with its style, as an innovative addition to any musical library.

The Bunch piece alone is worth the price--percussion with real musical smarts, a total delight for the ear. But the entire album is good--the haunting Piazzolla "Oblivion," a poetic early Bernstein piece, all the way to the last--surprising, to this listener--David Bowie/Pat Metheny composition, sounding much too subtle and interesting to be mere pop music.

I heard the Ahn Trio play this music at a local bar, of all places. They may or may not attract a generation reared on rock, as they reach out with their entertaining patter and B-girl images. But they're serious performers and the musical choices here are very worthwhile. The album makes a good case for the energy and vitality in contemporary chamber music. Kronos Quartet, move over!

The Ahn Trio was here in small-town, Bremerton, WA. this evening, and I was fortunate enough to see in concert and talk with them after their fabulous show. Their musical performance is stunning, and their presences on stage is awesome--they bring the audience to them...they are free with talking with the audience. If ever you get the chance to see them, it is definitely worth it.

This is a solid CD that can appeal to anyone, regardless of whether they like Classical music. The skills that these artists possess are exceptional and on this CD, the Ahn sisters play the compositions of men like Leonard Bernstein and Astor Piazzolla with unbridled passion and exquisite grace. This CD is great for when you are in the mood for relaxation and immersing youself in your own little world.

I love this CD, i kept it in my CD player for a month. I am very fond of the Kenji Bunch Compositions. They've become some of my favorite. The Bernstein Trio is a good one to sit down and take the time to listen to it's beautiful melodic and very rhythmic. Piazolla's Primavera Portena has been my favorite Piazolla Tango and still is. If you wanna add some SPICE to your CD collection this CD is IT! These girls are amazing. You have to see them live if you can. During the summer months they tend to flock from music camp to music camp. The communication and energy between these sisters is electrfying.

Having seen the Ahn Trio before live, I was anxious to hear this disc. Bunch's "Concerto for Piano Trio & Percussion" is okay. There are some interesting moments, but for the most part I can take it or leave it. Piazzolla's "Oblivion" is just pure genius. The Argentine is a true master...this piece has a soothing sensuality and a laid back urgency. I think the beautiful tension is what really makes the piece work. Bernstein's "Trio" is a bit of a sleeper...nothing really thought provoking or exciting like the "On The Waterfront Suite" or his "Symposium on the Dialogues of Plato." The total winner piece on the CD has got to be "Diamond World" by Eric Ewazen (the reason I bought the CD.) The Ahns played it live when I saw them, and its fascinating to hear it here with percussion. Either way it works. The second they started playing it in concert I was almost moved to tears...the cello part is gorgeous. Hearing the cello in this piece makes it worth purchase price! Nyman's "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" is a nice piece from a popular movie. The David Bowie/Pat Metheny combo is interesting and provides a quiet closer to the disc. If their idea is to spread classical music and make it more accessible they've certainly accomplished that here. Of all I've heard by them, I still prefer their recordings of Shostakovich/Dvorak/Suk trios. Their recording of the Shostakovich is unreal! If big long formal pieces scare you, then pick up this album, it is almost exclusively comprised of short pieces, so even those with short attentions spans can make it through it all! Pick it up and enjoy the Ahn's "Diamond World" of music!

The Ahn sisters have a lot of talent and that talen is shown in this CD. My personal favorite is their rendition of "The Heart Asks Pleasure First (from The Piano)". It is just beautiful!!

For me, the true test of music is how it makes me feel while I listen to it. When I listen to this CD, it makes me feel alive!!! It makes me hunger to listen to other CDs that the Ahn Trio have made. I'll be picking those up soon.

I've been listening to this disk for twelve years, and I keep hearing new things in it... is it classical, is it contemporary, is it world/ethnic? All these things and more. It's jam packed beginning to end with fascinating compositions and passionate performances, this is definitely one of my desert island cd's.