Huang Ruo's Leaving Sao

Review of Chamber Concerto Cycle

  On February 27, 2007 the NAXOS RECORD released Huang Ruo's four chamber concertos as a complete cycle on its critically acclaimed series American Classics. For more information about this disc, please visit http://www.naxos.com. In the recent issue of Fanfare Magazine, the Chamber Concerto Cycle receives a rave review:

"Born on Hainan Island, China, in 1976, Huang Ruo moved to the US in 1995 and is now an American citizen. He has won several prizes, and his music has been conducted by Sawallisch, James Conlon, and Dennis Russell Davies, among others. Huang's Chamber Concertos were composed between 2000 and 2002, for varying sizes of ensemble. An anonymous reviewer from VPRO Radio Guide (Holland) describes Huang's style as "a convincing synthesis between the hushed Chinese sound world and modernist composition techniques." That synthesis is the basis and raison d'etre of these colorful works. Certain instrumental signposts common to both idioms occur frequently, such as timpani "tattoos," string glissandos, and drones. Forceful statements from timpani and other percussion often serve to separate musical segments, as in Chinese opera, and we hear imitations of Chinese stringed instruments (No. 1, first movement), and Chinese flute (much of No. 2). Western influences are equally present: the use of ostinato (No. 3, first movement) and the syncopated, aggressive rhythmic bite of jazz/rock (No. 1, fourth movement). It is thought provoking to hear Chinese-accented music emanating from a CD in the "American Classics" series -- it speaks volumes about diversity in Western musical culture -- and Naxos is to be commended for putting this young composer on its roster. The sound quarlity is excellent, and the musicianship of a very high standard. Huang's music is undeniably vibrant, visceral, and full of color."

----- Phillip Scott, Fanfare Magazine