Customer Reviews

String Glamour

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

 

 

In this CD, Yu Hong-Mei's mastery of the instrument is evident. She sets different moods in her pieces. It is amazing the wide variety of music she can create with only 2 strings. The 2-string instrument is a classical Chinese music instrument and the sound it produces is similar to that of a violin but with a very distictive tone. If you are not used to it, you may not like it (this falls into the "cultivated taste" category.)

The Er-Hu has a reputation for sounding awful...but you'd never know it listening to Yu Hong Mei. She produces such a beautiful tone, and is at times contemplative and medtitative, at other times quite emotionally stirring. Simple, elegant, this music is very pleasing.

While I love every erhu album that I have, it is safe to say that this is one of the most complex and detailed, next to Spirit On Two Strings. It is apparent that Yu Hong-Mei has been working to perfect her skill on the instrument for a very long time. Surely one of the best albums of it's type, String Glamour belongs in your collection if you enjoy the sounds of the erhu. Some of it is very upbeat, while other albums predominantly showcase slower softer sides. There is great range present here, from rapidly changing louder more celebratory sounds to delicate movements that coax you to listen more intently. If you seek more well-done erhu music, check out Asian Blossoms and Road To Oasis by Missa Johnouchi, River and Rainbow by Jia Peng Fang, and Spirit On Two Strings by Jie-Bing Chen. Enjoy!

The universatility of music is clearly evident on this album. Yu Hong-mei exquisitely exemplifies the art of Erhu on this cd.
I recently developed an "ear" for the virtuous sound of the Erhu. I was lucky enough to come across Yu Hong-mei's skills when I saw a couple of videos of her performances on YouTube. This CD is very relaxing and puts one at ease. If you have an open-mind and a TRUE appreciation for music then you will definitely enjoy the music on this CD.

I'm a fan of traditional Chinese instruments and this CD is worth buying! Hong-Mei is really amazing and passionate!

This CD together with "spirit on two strings" by jie-bing chen are the two most beautiful er-hu cds produced. The sound quality is superb, recorded from the same environment (church) and technique by the same one and only Alexander Kavichandran. The music is simply arranged with minimal accompaniment (only one other instrument or just solo) let the erhu show its true spirit and glamour. Beautiful.