EASTERN TREASURES: A Collection of Asian Folk Songs for Organ and Violin
•
Lewis Wong (vn); Chelsea Chen, (org); Rebecca Tong, cond; Jakarta Simfonia
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CON BRIO CBR21141 (45:46)
ZHANG
Rice Dumplings.
DENG
Spring Breeze. Four Seasons. Moonlight Blue.
TRAD
Three Children’s Songs.
Jasmine.
LU
Cradle Song.
SU
The Country Farmer. Mountain
of
Youth.
Q. CHEN
Hills in Springtime.
OKANO
Haruga Kita. Oborozukiyo.
NARITA
Hamabeno Uta.
KOBAYASHI
Makkana Aki.
ANON.
Fuyugeshiki.
KITAMURA
Omoide.
C. CHEN
Jasmine Fantasy.
BACH
Cantata,
BWV 156: Arioso
“Eastern Treasures” is an album that draws on Chen’s active collaboration with violinist Lewis Wong. All of the music (except the final “bonus” track, the popular
Arioso
from Bach’s Cantata, BWV 156) is based on Asian folk songs, many of them arranged by Chen. Works for organ solo, violin solo, and organ plus violin are included. One work, Chen’s very brief
Jasmine Fantasy
, also includes a part for string orchestra (played by the Jakarta Simfonia Orchestra under the direction of Rebecca Tong). This is a pleasant and genial album that would appeal to anybody who enjoys Asian folk music. The heavily pentatonic sound world risks aural fatigue, but is mitigated by the variety of timbres involved. Wong and Chen are both excellent musicians who play together with skill and enthusiasm.
Carson Cooman
