“Dazzling virtuosity” – San Francisco Chronicle
Hunting Eagles Catching Swans is a historic, honorary album of one of the greatest pipa masters of all time: Lin Shicheng. Lin is often referred to as the Ravi Shankar of the pipa, first for his unprecedented skill on the instrument and second for his years of profound contribution to the art form in teaching many of the prominent pipa players in the world today.
Gao Hong is a prolific teacher, writer, professor and master of the pipa. She was a pupil of Lin Shicheng’s while at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and is now an award-winning and internationally recognized musician. Together, they perform an enchanting collection of traditional Chinese music.
The album starts with their rendition of Three Six – one of the most famous melodies in the Jiangnan sizhu (Jiangnan silk and bamboo) repertoire. With a driven pace and lively energy, it reflects the spirit of hard working rural Chinese men and women as they wish for a better life. Autumn Thoughts, in contrast, is a gentle and reflective piece. It uses low notes and intricate left-hand technique to depict a quiet Autumn evening.
Label: ARC Music
Cat#: EUCD2928
Released: Friday 25th September 2020
