Ralph van Raat plays Tan Dun

‘Tan Dun’s piano music forms an intimate reflection not only of the broad range and history of his composing, but also of the journey of his artistic soul, of his musical and philosophical discoveries, and of his personal memories.

The variety of the many international awards he has received is a reflection of the striking versatility of his works and of the worldwide recognition he has gained as a powerful artistic representative of intercultural exchanges.’

Ralph van Raat


Includes World Premiere Recordings
8.570621

Tan Dun’s originality has been reflected in worldwide recognition of his music, which draws on both Chinese and Western musical languages. The Eight Memories in Watercolor are deft painterly reflections, while in Traces he balances sound with silence in this evocation of nature. The vibrant drama of Blue Orchid incorporates the opening motif of Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations. In Film Music Sonata, which here receives its first recording on general release, Tan Dun draws on his score for the film The Banquet. The kaleidoscopic C-A-G-E-, strikingly Chinese in sound, is a tribute to his teacher and spiritual compass, John Cage. The Fire, written for Ralph van Raat, contains some of Tan Dun’s most virtuosic and dramatic piano writing.

Listen to an extract from Film Music Sonata:
II. After Tonight
About Ralph van Raat

Ralph van Raat is the recipient of a substantial number of national and international awards; many composers have written solo works for him; and he has performed over 50 piano concertos with orchestras worldwide, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. He has recorded over 30 albums and is a frequent speaker and performer on radio and television. He teaches at both the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Accademia di Musica di Pinerolo, Turin.

About Tan Dun

The conceptual and multifaceted composer/conductor Tan Dun has made an indelible mark on the world’s music scene with creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music, multimedia performance, and eastern and western traditions. He is a recipient of some of today’s most prestigious honours, including the GRAMMY Award, Academy Award, Grawemeyer Award for classical composition, Musical America’s Composer of The Year, Shostakovich Award and the Bach Prize of Hamburg.

More recordings by Ralph van Raat
8.559285
★★★★
‘The performances by Ralph van Raat [are] a triumph… van Raat obtains a near-hypnotic control in the two early pieces, almost mechanical in its reliability, and he bubbles with life in the later two.’
International Piano
8.570542
‘Ralph van Raat is admirably attuned to the music’s intricate voicing and weighting, helped by a recording that gives the piano just the right amount of presence and space.’
Gramophone
8.573894
★★★★
★★★★
★★★★
‘This release by pianist Ralph van Raat delivers the promised rarities… Heartily recommended to any lover of the French style.’
AllMusic.com ★★★★
8.573576
‘It’s quite a feat to physically get one’s fingers around the notes in the first place but so much of what this pianist does with this extraordinary piece is implied through articulation and pure tactility.’
MusicWeb International
More recordings of music by Tan Dun
OA1010D (DVD)
Marco Polo
Workman • Castle • Richardson • Lundy • Jun • Kross • Bryant • Netherlands Chamber Orchestra • Capella Amsterdam • Dun • Audi
★★★★
Marco Polo is one of Tan Dun’s most inspired, successful and spectacular efforts. For those new to his artistry, this DVD would make a fabulous introduction. For those who already enjoy the composer’s work, this release will be a benchmark for years to come.’
Opera News
Also available on Blu-ray Video
OABD7029D
OA1013D (DVD)
Paper Concerto
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra • Dun • Fujii
OA1014D (DVD)
Water Concerto
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra • Dun • Cossin
‘A fantastic performance of a piece of music that is as much about watching the physical gestures as absorbing the sounds.’
MusicWeb International
8.570608
★★★★
★★★★
‘… definitive performances with the composer conducting the fine Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. The vivid sonics do justice to this unusual music. Thank you, Naxos!’
ClassicalCDReview.com
ODE864-2
Out of Peking Opera
Death and Fire
Orchestral Theatre II: Re

Lin • Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra • Tang


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