Customer Reviews

Spirit On Two Strings Vol. 1

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Beautiful pieces, wonderfully performed. Unlike other recordings, this recording allows the erh-hu to show its characteristics (melodic, soulful, haunting, etc.), this, thanks to the subtle arrangement and simple accompaniment by the yang-qin instrument (no less beautiful). The sound engineer of this recording also allows for all the subtle nuances be heard. Best erh-hu cd I own. Praises to the producer Wang San-ti and the recording engineer Alexander Kavichandran.

Jie-Bing Chen is a master of the ehru, a two-stringed Chinese instrument bearing superficial resemblence to the violin. To my ears, the ehru (pronounced are-you) has an instrinsic meloncholly lacking in the violin. Consequently, when played by a consummate performer, such as Jie-Bing Chen, the instrument takes on a poignancy not achievable in Western music. Perhaps there is consonance between cultures and the instruments that produce them? One thinks of the tenor saxophone and its relationship to jazz, the only native American art form, and the quintessential voice of Blackness. Or the bodhran, and its relationship to Irish music. Or bagpipes and Scotland. Or the kalimba and African music. Or the gamelan and Indonesian music. In any case, if you've heard and enjoyed Jie-Bing Chen's playing on Bourban and Rosewater, you might want to check her out in a more traditional setting.

It was interesting for me to compare a couple of the pieces on this CD with the same pieces as done by Jia Peng Feng. Feng uses more contemporary instrument assistance and orchestration. Chen seems more traditional in approach. As a new listener to the erhu I found Chen's work truly excellent.

Beautiful pieces, wonderfully performed. Unlike other recordings, this recording allows the erh-hu to show its characteristics (melodic, soulful, haunting, etc.), this, thanks to the subtle arrangement and simple accompaniment by the yang-qin instrument (no less beautiful). The sound engineer of this recording also allows for all the subtle nuances be heard. Best erh-hu cd I own. Praises to the producer Wang San-ti and the recording engineer Alexander Kavichandran.

If music is the gateway to the soul, then this album is the gateway to heaven! It is tenderly, artisticly, and painstakingly performed, recorded, and packaged. If you like the sound of the Chinese Erhu (two stringed Chinese violin) then this is a perfect CD to buy.

Marc Waszkiewicz
Bremerton, Washington

For anyone interested in this type music, this is a great way to familiarize yourself with Chinese music. Also great for relaxing and meditation.

This album takes you to so many places. One could imagine an Asian play unfolding on stage with this music playing, corresponding to the play's action. It also has more of a traditional vibe to it than a contemporary one. That's ok with me, as I enjoy exploring all of the sounds of the erhu. Jie-Bing Chen is clearly talented with the instrument, and I am happy to listen to this album. Pure poetry. If you seek more outstanding erhu music, I can recommend River and Rainbow by Jia Peng Fang, Asian Blossoms and Road To Oasis by Missa Johnouchi, and String Glamour by Yu Hong-Mei. Happy hunting!

Fine recording. A "postcard" of musicians in the garden surrounding the Temple of Heaven.
Lively, very enjoyable.

In my June 14th review of this marvelous disc, I erroneously referenced Jie-Bing Chen's playing on Bourbon and Rosewater. The record I meant to cite, of course, was Bela Fleck's Tabula Rasa.