Xiaogang Ye, born in Shanghai in 1955, is considered one of China's most important contemporary composers. He has written music in various genres, including symphonic and chamber music works and scores for the theatre. Ye has also composed music for films and the two works recorded here are both examples of that.
Sichuan Image consists of 29 short and atmospheric pieces, composed as accompaniment to a filmed travel documentary of the picturesque province in western China. In preparation for the work, the composer visited mountains, rivers, villages and ancient historical sites in Sichuan. The large symphony orchestra is further coloured by four Chinese musicians playing traditional instruments.
The CD closes with Concerto of Life, a suite in five parts for piano and orchestra with Noriko Ogawa in the solo part. The work is based on the score of a film of the same name that tells the story of a piano teacher and his students. Ogawa was also heard on an earlier disc with music by Ye together with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and conductor José Serebrier - a disc named Editor's Choice in Gramophone, where the reviewer described the performances as 'superb' and Ye's scores as 'lyrical elegance, searching drama and depth of colour...'.
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Xiaogang Ye: a musical portrait
by Helena Gaudeus 1 July 2022