Tan Dun: Symphonic Poem of 3 Notes - Orchestral Theatre I, Xun - Concerto for Orchestra (after Marco Polo) Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra & Dun Tan

• 1 Symphonic Poem of 3 Notes 12:15
• 2 Orchestral Theatre 18:05
• 3 I. Light of Timespace 09:07
• 4 II. Scent of Bazaar 04:43
• 5 III. The Raga of Desert 13:48
• 6 IV. The Forbidden City 06:52
• Total Runtime 01:04:50

Info for Tan Dun: Symphonic Poem of 3 Notes - Orchestral Theatre I, Xun - Concerto for Orchestra (after Marco Polo)

The multifaceted and multi-award winner Tan Dun has made an indelible mark on the world music scene with a creative repertoire that spans the boundaries of classical music. The Symphonic Poem on Three Notes describes an evolutionary arc from nature through industry and back to nature, the traditional orchestra augmented with a range of unorthodox sound sources such as wind, stones and car brake drums. The drama of Orchestral Theatre centres on memories of ritual from the composer’s childhood, linking folk music styles to Western atonality, while the Concerto for Orchestra describes the exoticism of Marco Polo’s geographical, musical and spiritual journeys.

Tan and the Hong Kong Philharmonic recorded the works in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall between 27th and 29th February this year, with the Naxos team led by Grammy-winning producer Tim Handley who produced and engineered the disc.

'...In all three works, however, Tan Dun presents himself as a first-rate advocate of his own music. The Hong Kong Philharmonic plays for him as if it has a natural handle on all the influences in these pieces, including Western ones—hip-hop, rock, and jazz. OK, so I won’t be returning to the Symphonic Poem; there’s enough good music here to make me glad I gave Tan Dun another listen. I’ll certainly be listening in the future.' (Lee Passarella, Audiophile Audition)

'This new Naxos CD offers three major works: Symphonic Poem on Three Notes (2012), Orchestral Theatre (1990) and Concerto for Orchestra (2012). The latter has an elaborate program detailed by the composer in his program notes, three “journeys” and adventures based generally on music for his opera Marco Polo. We can be sure we are hearing definitive performances with the composer conducting the fine Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra whose music director is the remarkable Dutchman Jaap van Zweden. The vivid sonics do justice to this unusual music. Thank you, Naxos!' (Robert Benson, ClassicalCDReview)

The Hong Kong Philharmonic
Tan Dun, conductor