Chinary Ung: Grand Spiral

On this CD:

1. Grand Spiral, for symphonic band
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Arizona State University Symphonic Band
Conducted by Richard E. Strange

2. Spiral II, for mezzo-soprano, piano & tuba
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Robert G. Hamilton, Daniel Perantoni, Judy May Sellheim

3. Khse Buon, for viola
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Susan Ung

4. Mohori for soprano & chamber orchestra
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Contemporary Chamber Ensemble, Barbara Ann Martin
Conducted by Arthur Weisburg

5. Khse Buon, for cello
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Marc Johnson

6. Tall Wind, for sporano, oboe & cello
Composed by Chinary Ung
Performed by Chris Finckel, Joan Heller, David Starobin, Keith Underwood, Robert Atherholt
Conducted by Arthur Weisburg

Tracks:

Spiral VI
Seven Mirrors - A Window in the Sky
Seven Mirrors - Dotted Path
Seven Mirrors - Roar, Lion of the Heart
Seven Mirrors - Laughter Passes Over the Earth
Seven Mirrors - Space Between the Fish and the Moon
Seven Mirrors - Tattooing Space-Time
Seven Mirrors - Flying Mirrors
Grand Alap
Grand Spiral ("Desert Flowers Bloom")

Album Description

The work of Cambodian-American composer Chinary Ung (b. 1942) represents one of the more successful attempts to accomplish a musical integration of East and West, resulting in a style that is uniquely his own. In general, Ung's music is resplendent with lush romantic harmonies, rhythmic complexities, and lyrical melodic passages, an amalgamation that, together with his own idiosyncratic compositional technique, has evolved over the course of time.

Both Asian and Western elements are readily discernible in Spiral VI (1992), probably one of Ung's best examples of achieving a true integration of these ideas. Spiral VI is constantly changing, expanding, or contracting, and has been described as having a "floating" feeling despite its precise rhythmic notation. Seven Mirrors (1997) is a challenging solo piano work that is comprised of seven short virtuosic movements, each of a different character, but all linked either musically or thematically. Familiar piano gestures reflect postmodern characteristics that prevailed in the last quarter of the twentieth century, and each movement is assigned a fanciful title that "describes" the nature of the music.

Grand Alap (1996) has a fascinating array of sonic effects, both in the instrumental and vocal parts. More than thirteen different percussion instruments are in constant motion under the amplified cello passages, providing continuity and unity to the work.

In the words of the composer, the source of inspiration for Grand Spiral ("Desert Flowers Bloom") (1992) was "the image of a translucent piece of sculpture that is constantly moving and rotating in the desert while reflecting sunlight as perhaps a prism would." The post-impressionist aspect of Grand Spiral should come as no surprise since Debussy was one of Ung's early heroes of composition. This work shows Ung to be a consummate orchestrator, with an uncanny sense of how to combine instrumental colors in order to produce his desired result. Of related interest: 80412

Chinary Ung: Grand Spiral
Average customer rating:

Very Good Music

Chinary Ung: Grand Spiral

Manufacturer: Composers Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | International | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005TXP
Release Date: 1996-05-21

Tracks:

Grand Spiral For Symphonic Band
Spiral II
Khse Buon For Violin Solo
Mohori
khse Buon For Cello Solo
Tall Wind

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Music.......2004-05-14

I have heard Grand Spiral played live. It was very very engaging. Chinary Ung writes some very nice music. It's very raw sometimes - which also is very likeable. If you like this CD, buy it. Support a very good and deserving composer.

Music Track:

Music Track

music track

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