Himalaya

This recording by internationally acclaimed erhu (two-stringed fiddle) virtuoso Guo Gan follows his previous release, Jasmine Flower, a little over a year later. Whereas that album featured trio arrangements of existing pieces, Himalaya focuses almost exclusively on Guo Gan's own compositions for solo erhu. Given the relative simplicity of his instrument, and the nature of solo playing, creating a recording that is consistently engaging is a challenge of any composer's skill. While Gan rarely strays far from the melodic vocabulary of the traditional erhu repertoire, he allows himself to explore the technical and expressive capabilities of his instrument to their full.

From the evocative pizzicato of ‘Tea-Girl’ to the inventive droplet effects of ‘Water Women’, the album conjures sonorities and images that are deeply rooted in the Chinese instrumental tradition, making this recording highly approachable for listeners unfamiliar with erhu repertoire. Though clearly still finding his identity as a composer, Guo Gan imbues his pieces with life using great sensitivity and flawless phrasing, plaintive as well as playful. The character of each piece reveals itself fully with repeated listening, making this album a rewarding experience. If Guo Gan were to combine his evident talents in both composition and ensemble arranging, the results would certainly be something to savour.