Wu Wie & Holland Baroque - Silk Baroque (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Silk Baroque presents a musical encounter between Wu Wei and Holland Baroque, performing a programme that ranges from Baroque greats such as Bach, Vivaldi, Telemann and Rameau to Chinese traditional tunes, all tied together by the musicians’ openness to improvisation, experimentation and cultural exchange. Wu Wei plays the sheng, an extraordinary ancient Chinese mouth organ, which looks like a bundle of bamboo reeds cased in a metal bowl. It is a miracle of harmony, melody and rhythmic possibilities, and Wu Wei’s abilities fully bring out the sheng’s beauty: whispering, charming, and compelling. Age-old traditions come together in performances that sound fresh and contemporary. Silk Baroque carries listeners into a lively, enticing and fascinating sound world.

Holland Baroque is an original and innovative baroque orchestra that approaches baroque repertoire through a fresh and contemporary approach, with a focus on improvisation and collaborations with outstanding artists from different traditions. On their first PENTATONE release, they work together with Wu Wei, who dazzles audiences worldwide with his virtuosic sheng playing.

Tracklist:
1. What About Some Bells (After G.P. Telemann)
2. Castor et Pollux, RCT 32: Tristes apprets (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
3. Polonois chinois (After G.P. Telemann)
4. Pferderennen (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
5. Trio Sonata in D Minor, Op. 1 No. 12, RV 63 "La follia" (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
6. Prelude for Prelude (After J.P. Rameau)
7. Chaos for Wu Wei (After J.F. Rebel)
8. Improvisation (For My Father)
9. Harlequinade (After G.P. Telemann)
10. Sey tausenmahl willkommen, TWV 13:9a: I. Sinfonia (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
11. Silk Rondeau (For Maite)
12. Violin Sonata in G Major, Op. 1 No. 8: III. Gavotte (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
13. Dancing Song of the Yao Tribe (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
14. Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: III. Andante (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)
15. Abendmusik (Arr. J. Steenbrink & T. Steenbrink for Sheng & Chamber Ensemble)

Personnel:
Holland Baroque
Wu Wei, sheng