Customer Reviews

Traditions and Transformations: Sounds of Silk Road Chicago

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

 

 

Sometimes a "live" recording, when performed before an audience with one take, is magical. It captures all the energy and heightened sensitivity of both player and listener. Yo-Yo Ma has recorded Schelomo before, with the Baltimore Symphony, and Legend of Herlen has appeared on Silk Road Journeys, but compared to this recording, those tracks were flat and straightforward. Here, the beauty and majesty of every musical piece is fully manifested; the depth of the concert hall and clarity of sound provide presence. I have nearly all the recordings of Lou Harrison's Indonesia-inspired music and this Pipa Concerto with the brilliant Wu Man is an outstanding addition. To close the various Asia-inspired selections, Prokofiev's Scythian Suite, performed the following month with a different conductor (Alan Gilbert), is a good match for the theme, although its verve and splendor do not reach the same heights. Nonetheless, this album is exciting.

I bought this CD primarily for Harrison's Pipa Concerto. But I found the other selections also a nice surprise. Wu Man's work certainly gave me a better appreciation of Silk Road music, and I thank Yo Yo Ma for bringing this unique music to our attention.

Package arrived from good shape. Hope it is beautiful. I will review again when I have to sit down and listen to it. Traditions and Transformations: Sounds of Silk Road Chicago

Yo-yo Ma has created a much needed intellectual approach towards a destruction of musical and cultural boundaries within the context of the musical idiom. I found this particular CD to be most impressive.


thank you

chad powers
president
SCI
Georgia ST. University

I don't know what the other reviewers are hearing but the Bloch is one of the worst recordings that I have ever heard. There is no ambiance to the cello and other intruments.....the music just sounds dead. I've heard this piece live and I have 5 other versions. This one is going into the garbage bin. The other tracks are tolerable but there is still a minimum of reverberation and the whole listening experience is exasperating/