Search - Anna Guo :: Chinese Traditional Yang-Qin Music

Simplicity and accuracy

O. Fuentes | Minnesota | 11/21/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although many albums tout themselves as "traditional" or "Classical" Chinese music, few can deliver on that promise. Many so called "classical" albums are full of western instruments, modern electronic sounds, and western note arrangements. This album however, will give you much more of the "real deal". The songs range from very old songs, to songs composed in recent decades. The music is almost exclusively centered around the Yang qin, with only a small amount of background instrumentation added. When it comes to ethnic music it is extremely difficult to find anything that hasn't been heavily polluted by western instrumentation or note arrangements. Fortunately, this isn't so in this selection, although a few of the songs might have a hint of western harmonization here and there. It is simple in style so many might find it not "exciting" enough. But if you want "exiting", listen to Brittany Spears.



If your looking for some cheesy, techno, quasi-modern, new-age, amorphous dribble when you think "traditional Chinese music" then this isn't the CD for you. If you actually want to hear quality Chinese music, than this is certainly a good choice."