Description
In 2001, four young musicians of mainly Taiwanese origin met in Germany and decided to make music together there. They called themselves the "Jade Quartet". Jade is a precious stone, "Ja" is the Chinese word for Asia and "De" stands for Germany (Deutschland). On their "EigenArt-CD", Hanlin Liang und Hyun Ji You (Violins), Kai-Hsi Fan (Viola) und Shih-Yu Yu (Violoncello) bring the unfamiliar music of their homeland, infused with European influences, closer to us by infusing it with European influences. The composer Jin Peng, also from Taiwan, studied in Germany and writes music that tells of her homeland, including much about her childhood. A fascinating and enriching extension of the spectrum offered by the string quartet. This recording shows how this genre can take on other influences, give something back to them and how it can develop further. The music is complex in places, very difficult to play, but at the same time sometimes really simple, almost like children's pieces. The Jade Quartet combines bravura virtuosity in the tricky passages with a performance of almost childlike naivety in the simple pieces.
Zusätzliche Informationen
| GTIN | 4009850105107 |
|---|---|
| Marke | Edition EigenArt |
2 reviews for e51 CD / Musik Insel
You must be logged in to post a review.
Klassik heute –
--> original review
Poetic in title, colorful on the cover: when you first pick up this CD, you might almost think it’s a production for children. The opening bars of the Suite of the Youngsters, which sound immediately after pressing play, could reinforce that impression: pleasant harmonic sounds with catchy melodies, tinged with folk-like or minimalist elements, sometimes reminiscent of a film soundtrack. At first listen, this music is easy on the ear and in no way harsh.
It is performed by the Jade Quartet, a string quartet that, at the time of the recording, was entirely female. Most members—hence the ensemble’s name—have a Taiwanese background. Jing Peng, the composer of the music featured here, was also born in Taiwan but, like many Asian musicians, studied in Europe. This background is audible in his music, which is far more layered and sophisticated than the opening bars of the CD might suggest. Here, Asian and European musical traditions merge into an unusually interesting blend.
One can hear minimalist tendencies, occasional allusions to jazz or electronic music, and at times passages that seem highly complex or radically atonal. And yet, as in the aforementioned suite, there is a simplicity that is anything but simplistic. The result is music that is as intriguing as it is colorful. How is it performed?
The Jade Quartet, already multiple award winners, demonstrate superb sound quality and playing technique. Highly artificial and technically virtuosic structures are executed with the same brilliance as simple monodies. Everything is rhythmically precise and incisive, including dynamics and ensemble coordination. This CD surprises on multiple levels: with exciting, versatile, and unquestionably rewarding music, and with an outstanding string quartet that plays with technical brilliance and musical excellence.
Guido Krawinkel
Pizzicato –
--> original review
The Taiwanese-Korean Jade Quartet performs works by the Taiwanese composer Jing Peng, whose evocative music subtly incorporates Chinese elements. In general, the composer seems unencumbered by conventions, blending minimalist influences with neo-Romantic gestures, sometimes abstract, sometimes highly pictorial. A charming CD, superbly played.
Remy Franck