JOEL FAN / World Keys
[RR106]

One of RR’s primary missions is to find and introduce great new artists. We are full of enthusiasm for WORLD KEYS.

Fan is a member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and has appeared with the Ensemble at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as on the television shows Good Morning America and David Letterman.

A native New Yorker (b.1969), Fan studied at the Juilliard School, Harvard University and the Peabody Conservatory. Acclaimed as "a soaring talent" (Los Angeles Times), “superb” (Boston Globe),“extraordinary” (Village Voice), and “a versatile and sensitive pianist” (Washington Post) - Joel Fan combines astounding virtuosity with a rare gift for lyricism.

"He has selected works of great musical interest, and switches from one style to another quite contrasting one with the greatest aplomb. His playing of the 18-minute Schumann Sonata is right up there with the classic keyboardists."
- John Sunier, Audiophile Audition -- complete review

Fan approached World Keys like an “auteur” filmmaker: he researched intensively, networked with many composers, found fascinating world-premiere compositions from Asia, Australia and Europe, and performed them with awe-inspiring flair and musicianship. He is a phenomenal young talent, and it has been a joy to work with him on this unique project.

World Keys presents a series of brilliantly crafted piano works that traverse different world musics—from Turkish Aksak rhythms and Arabian Maqam to Peking Opera of China—and juxtaposes them with works in the Western piano canon. Just as the piano sound world of Prokofiev, Schumann and Liszt may evoke the instruments of the modern orchestra, the music from foreign lands calls forth instruments such as the Chinese pipa and Persian santour.This singular program is sure to stretch the ears.

As always,“Professor” Keith Johnson’s engineering wizardry captures Fan’s artistry in brilliant HDCD® sonics.

TRACK LISTING:

01. A. Adnan Saygun: Sketch on Aksak Rhythm;
02. Prokofiev: Sonata #3;
03. Dia Succari: La Nuit du Destin;
04. Halim El-Dabh: Sayera;
05. Qigang Chen: Instants d’un opera de Pekin;
06. Liszt: Concert Paraphrase of Verdi’s “Rigoletto”;
07. William Bolcom: . . . la belle rouquine;
08. Peter Sculthorpe: Nocturnal;
09. Schumann: Sonata #2 in G Minor : So Rasch Wie Möglich
10. Schumann: Sonata #2 in G Minor : Andantino
11. Schumann: Sonata #2 in G Minor : Scherzo
12. Schumann: Sonata #2 in G Minor : Rondo
13. Peteris Vasks: Kantate