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`Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez’
(EMI Classics)
Why we recommend it: It’s a rare piece of work ― not just because the classical guitar is still the minority in the classical music community, but because it’s so polished and well-rounded. The album features hallmarks of the classical guitar repertoire ― posing thus a true test of an instrumentalist’s caliber, which Yang jumps over lightly with her virtuosic playing.
Best track: Albeniz Concerto
When Xuefei Yang made her Madrid debut with Joaquin Rodrigo’s ``Invocacion y danza,’’ the Spanish composer, virtually blind at the time, could not believe she was barely 14.
The rather small classical guitar community has seen the rise of young soloists in recent years, such as Japan’s Kaori Muraji and Belgium’s Denis Sung-ho Janessens. As China emerged from the Cultural Revolution, when all things Western were banned, Yang became the first guitarist to attend a local music school and debut overseas. As Gramophone magazine put it, ``the guitar world has a new star.’’
For twenty years since surprising Rodrigo, the vibrant young soloist has been steadily building a name for herself, and her exceptional gift shines through and through in this recording. The album features hallmarks of the classical guitar repertoire in the Spanish tradition ― posing thus a true test of an instrumentalist’s caliber, which Yang jumps over lightly with her virtuosic playing.
It’s a rare album ― not because the guitar is still the minority in the classical music community (in fact it’s a well-established member that is being taught in conservatories and universities and is readily treated in recordings by major classical music companies). It’s rare because it’s such a polished and well-rounded offering and presents in full the solo merits of the instrument under the delicate fingers of Yang.
The title track is none other than Concierto de Aranjuez by Rodrigo. The piece brims with clarity and poeticism under the touch of her talented fingers. The interplay between the protagonist and orchestra finds a perfect balance, with Yang presenting agile finger work and lilting phrasings particularly in the slower parts.
Yang also offers the world’s first ever recording of the Albeniz Concerto by the renowned contemporary composer Stephen Goss, who was inspired by the Spanish maestro Isaac Albeniz. Her solo talent peaks here as she allows the guitar to sing with a strong Spanish vibe. Yang gives the third piece a more personal touch, with an arrangement she made herself on Albeniz’s 1890 composition ``Espana,’’ Op. 165.
-Lee Hyo-won
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