Classical Chinese Folk Music

by Chen Dacan Chinese Ensemble

Overview

This nice collection of traditional Chinese music is performed by a small silk and bamboo ensemble -- strings and flutes. The music focuses on the folk music of Southern China for the most part (and the home of silk and bamboo sounds as well), though there are also a few derivations from Mongolian folk songs tucked away in the set. The star of the show is largely flute soloist Li He, a master on both the dizi (a higher-pitched flute) and the bawu (a deeper, reeded flute). He casually floats over the rest of the ensemble for much of the album, trilling, swirling, dancing around the music. At the same time, Chen Dacan's erhu screeches and accompanies, adding a more human element to the sound. The whole is kept in line not so much by a bassline -- though there is a zhong ruan (a bass version of a lute) player here -- but by the more percussive sound of a yangqin, the hammered dulcimer of choice for Zhao Zhen Ren, a member of Chen Dacan's London-based ensemble. There are countless albums of Chinese folk and classical folk on the market, and this surely will find its way among them. The musicianship is high, though, portraying these simple folk songs in their best light, not thrashing with brass as much silk and bamboo music is wont to do, and not filling the voids with nasal vocals as much Southern Chinese folk is wont to do. Just straightforward, pleasant Chinese classical music. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	02/24/2009
Label:	ARC MUSIC
UPC:	5019396219328

Tracks

1. Yu ge, for traditional ensemble
2. Gu xiang, for traditional ensemble
3. Wu bang xi, for traditional ensemble
4. Huan le ge, for traditional ensemble
5. Chun dou xiang jiang, for traditional ensemble
6. Mu min xin ge, for traditional ensemble
7. Guo sou xing, for traditional ensemble
8. Xi xiang fen, for traditional ensemble
9. Zo xi kou, for traditional ensemble

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Chen Dacan Chinese Ensemble   Primary Artist
Ning Bao Sheng   Primary Artist
Tiang Xian Wei   Primary Artist
Chen Dacan   Primary Artist,Erhu
Tian You Yu   Primary Artist
Fen Zi Cuen   Primary Artist
Zhen Hui Li   Primary Artist
Li He   Flute
Zhao Zheng Ren   Yang Chin
He Li   Dizi,Bamboo Flute
Chang Gouei Duo   Bass Lute
Zhao Zhenren   Yang Chin

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Diz Heller   Mastering,Liner Note Translation
Dave Knowles   Mixing,Engineer
Li He   Arranger
Hossam Ramzy   Producer
He Li   Arranger
Klaus Gerlach   Typesetting,Layout Design
Ute Entwistle   Typesetting,Layout Design
Jeannine Blanpain   Liner Note Translation
Zhen Hui Li   Composer
Rocio Garcia   Liner Note Translation
Janet Kealey   Liner Notes
Tina Chen   Liner Notes
David Knowles   Mixing,Recording
Chen Dacan   Arranger
Fen Zi Cuen   Composer
Li Zhen   Composer
Ning Bao Sheng   Composer
Tiang Xian Wei   Composer
Yu Tian You   Composer
McQuade   Typesetting,Layout Design