Customer Reviews

Sharon Isbin

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rouse's concerto is one of the richest and most amazingly complex pieces of contemporary music I've heard in quite a while, but is at the same time completely accessible on first listening. Someone should, however, correct Mr. Rouse's mistaken impression that flamenco music has anything to do with the Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudi, who was Catalan, not Spanish. Even the writer of the liner notes refers several times to Gaudi as "Spanish" and seems to think that flamenco music is somehow a natural match for his architectural genius. This is somewhat analogous to saying that one should listen to Delta blues while viewing the buildings of Frank Lloyd Wright. Catalan culture is entirely distinct from the Andalucian roots of flamenco. Perhaps Mr. Rouse has never been to Spain. But enough quibbling: the work itself (leaving Gaudi out of it) is astonishing and very highly recommended.

Wonderful work Mr. Rouse, I have not heard you
have this much fun since the recording 'Dance Mix'
came out, remember? the piece you wrote for 8 percussionists?
Well, this guitar concerto; "Concert de Gaudi"
is wonderful.There is a chord in the first movement of
this concerto similar to one used by Romero and Torroba,
in their "Concierto de Malaga". Full orchestra with a
big percussion section and loud brass and at times, evocative
solos on the solo guitar section.As for Mr. Dun, his Concerto
for Guitar and Orchestra, is just as good. Full of percussion,
including a 'water gong', which is a normal practice for this
composer.Dun's Concerto is great, charming, at times sensous,
and inventive. Mr. Dun, you did a wonderful work.I am very please
to own this recording in my personal collection.

This is a beautifully made recording, and all concerned should be very proud. The Rouse concerto is one of this remarkable composer's brightest works; I have even seen it referred to in other reviews as "cuddly." It's inspired by the great Spanish flamenco tradition but as imagined through the sensibilities of the amazing Barcelona architect Gaudi. It's amazing, and often amazingly beautiful. The Tan Dun is more challenging listening, a far cry from his "popular" efforts for Sony and the movies. Here the music is a combination of Chinese and Spanish elements. All in all, this is a wonderfully performed and recorded disc, and the Rouse alone makes it worth the price.

Some new pieces of music sound OK the first or second time you listen to them, then the returns diminish. Others are bad to begin with and get worse.

With this CD, I thought: hmm, pretty nice, maybe I'll listen to it again. Like an opening flower, each subsequent exposure brought greater pleasure. What a suprise that music this subtle yet generous recording would win composer Rouse a Grammy, which often goes to more splashy issues!

This CD has earned an honored--and well worn--parking slot on my collector's shelf!

This disc features unbelievable musical composition, emotional playing, and great depth and breadth a emotion. A must have - truly incredible music.....

I will limit my comments here to the Tan Dun piece, as I don't care much for the music of Christopher Rouse.

Tan Dun's concerto for guitar and orchestra "Yi2" (1996) is one of the composer's more avant-garde statements, light years away from the world-music crossover gimmickry of the "Symphony 1997" he was readying around the same-time. That is not to say that Tan Dun's Chinese culture plays a role here, for in fact like all his best work this music is a wholesome and *convincing* synthesis of modern orchestral trends with Dun's rural Chinese upbringing.

Out of classical soloist repertoire, music for guitar has been the most difficult for me. Even with composers that are nearly always satisfying, such as Per Norgard and Toru Takemitsu, their guitar music just leaves me scratching my head. I suspect that it is because growing up with rock music makes the guitar "not classical enough", as it were. How does Tan Dun overcomes my resistence? By writing for the guitar as if it were not a guitar! That is, at times Tan Dun treats the guitar as if it were the pipa, the stringed Chinese folk instrument. At other times he gives an aggressive edge to a usually lilting instrument, even exploring the possibilities of noise.

The orchestral scoring is considerable, with a large string section and four percussionists playing exotic instruments and Tan Dun's own water inventions. Nonetheless, it normally stays out of the way of the soloist. Yet, in the end, that's what gives me reservations about the concerto. Its musical material could have been used just as well for a solo work, there's no sense of dialogue or confrontation between soloist and orchestra.

As much as I admire the guitar writing, "Yi2" ultimately gives mixed feelings. For those new to Tan Dun, I'd recommend the superb DVD of his work "The Map" (on Deutsche Grammophon) or the "Water Passion" (Sony). Save this disc for when you've decided to seek out more.

the best guitarist in the world very dynamic