Liushui: Flowing Water

In January 2000, the UK Chinese Ensemble released a new CD, Liushui: Flowing Water. The recording contains a varied selection of solo and ensemble pieces from the traditional instrumental repertoire. It is published by the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, catalogue number: SOASIS-02.

Track list:

Pinghu Qiuyue: Autumn Moon over the Still Lake (Cantonese ensemble - gaohu with pipa, sheng, zhonghu and xiao)
Pu’an Zhou: Incantation of Pu’an (qin with xiao and muyu)
Wubangzi: (dizi with sheng, erhu, pipa and bangzi)
Xiyang Xiaogu: Flute and Drum at Sunset (pipa with xiao, erhu, sheng, bangzi and pengzhong)
Liushui: Flowing Water (qin solo)
Xingjie: Parade (sizhu ensemble - erhu, pipa, sanxian, zhonghu, sheng, dizi, ban, gu)
Zhuangtai Qiusi: Autumn Thoughts at the Dressing Table (guanzi with erhu and pipa)
Shimian Maifu: Ambushed on Ten Sides (pipa solo)
Cuihu Chunxiao: Early Spring at Green Lake (sheng with erhu, pipa, naobo and dagu)
Jianghe Shui: Flow of the River (erhu solo)
Ye Shenchen: Darkness of the Night (Beijing Opera ensemble - jinghu with yueqin, pipa, ruan, erhu, dizi, sheng, pengzhong, ban, gu)

Reviewers have been inspired to write:

"...an excellent instrumental CD from a group of five Chinese virtuosi... Striking solos for the qin zither...and pipa lute are both played by Cheng Yu... The group has taken great care over its ensemble sound, combining the shimmering colours of fiddles, mouth organs and lutes to beautiful effect".
The Wire, Adventures in Modern Music, issue 200, October 2000.

"...perfect, vibrant performances... technical perfection and brilliant playing... with just the right touch of "folkiness"... Fine solo contributions by Chen Dacan (on the two-string stick fiddle, the erhu) and Cheng Yu (on pipa and qin). The teahouse and opera pieces all sound fresh and inspired. These are musicians to cherish".
Songlines, Autumn/Winter 2000.

"...features a wide ranges of different instrumental styles, from Cantonese Silk and Bamboo ensemble music to qin (zither) solo, from dazzling 'battle' music for the pear-shaped lute pipa to northeastern Chinese wedding music and Peking opera... These are musicians ... to hear more often on the concert stage." Chime) Journal of the European Foundation for Chinese Music Research) 1999/2000.

The CD is now available in record shops that sell World Music. If you have difficulty in obtaining a copy, please contact the UK Chinese Ensemble via Cheng Yu.