Chen, Yuanlin – “Away From Xuan” – [Innova/American Composers]

Chen studied music in his native China where he pioneered a computer and electronic music studio. He has a PhD from SUNY Stony Brook.

These three pieces show a lot of variety in his music. ???Away from Xuan??? is a big symphonic piece. ???Wondering along the Journey??? uses instruments such as sheng, dizi, erhu, and pipa for a more Chinese sound. ???Chasing the Sun??? is startlingly original ??? this guitar quartet pushes the instruments into all kinds of sounds and percussive effects.

Gorgeous, dramatic, and accessible.