Art of the Chinese Dulcimer

1. Spring Arrives at Qing River

2. Happy Song

3. Sunshine Over Tashkurgan

4. Three Six

5. Raindrops Beating on Banana Leaves

6. Curtain Upside Dow

7. Su Wu Herding Sheep

8. Crescent Moon in Deep Night

9. Planting Song

10. General's Command

11. Dance Melody of the Southern Xinjiang

12. Festival in the Tianshan

13. Dragon Boat

14. Open the Fountain of Happiness

Art of the Chinese Dulcimer,Professor Xu Pingxin,Arc Music,Asian,Asian Folk,China,Chinese,Chinese Folk,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Traditional Chinese,World Music

Average customer rating: What you need is the will to listen Tune that thing, lady! An album for everyone

Tides and Sand: The Art of the Chinese Dulcimer Sisi Chen Manufacturer: Henry Street ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD China | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music China | Far East | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Spirit on Two Strings ASIN: B000003ODN Release Date: 1996-02-20

Tracks:

1. red blossoms in the mountains
2. spring arrives on the qin river
3. tianshan mountain on a festival day
4. rushing waves scour the sand
5. beautiful africa
6. the water town in springtime
7. tibetan dance
8. the azalea

Customer Reviews:

What you need is the will to listen.......2003-06-13

I was reading the reviews prior to the download, and I'm honest saying that I don't have any expertise in music or anyting like, I just enjoy it and so far it's all I can offer; If I'm going to listen chinese instruments, obviously I have to prepare myself (as well as my ears) for the notes that the dulcimer offers, but if I can stand 4 hours of Metallica real loud with headphones :), sure I can appreciate the quality of the sound that the dulcimer offers!!! Is just a matter of culture!!!

Tune that thing, lady!.......2003-02-12

I had such high hopes, based upon the one review above and the little snippets of songs on the samples. I guess I should have listened more carefully, because although the playing itself is lovely and Ms. Chen is indeed a fine musician, the instrument is so out of tune as to render the CD unlistenable in my opinion. I played hammered dulcimer for years and know first hand that it is an extremely hard instrument to tune and to keep in tune, as the tuning pegs are not geared like many other stringed instruments and there are like a zillion strings with many tuned to exactly the same note. While one is performing, particularly outside, it can be difficult to maintain good tuning, but when one is recording an album, there is no excuse not to retune if necessary.

The first cut isn't too bad, but starting with cut two, oh my! The dulcimer is so out of tune in places that it is absolutely painful and is particularly evident because of the many octaves and unisons inherent in the music. And it's not because Chinese music uses different notes than those used in Western music or that these pieces just seem out of tune to the Western ear. I've heard and loved anough Chinese music to know that the lack of attention to perfect tuning on this recording is not indicative the style. Again, the tunes are lovely and the artistry of Ms. Chen is unmistakable, but for either musicians or non-musicians with good ears, I'd say: Stay away from this one. You'll want to hurt someone within six minutes.

An album for everyone.......1999-04-17

You don't have to be a lover of traditional Chinese music to enjoy this album -- but if you are, you will all the more appreciate this CD's breadth of expression. Some pieces are decidedly traditional in flavor (Spring Arrives on the Qin River, for example); others are crafted with a Romantic flair (Beautiful Africa); still others belong to the realm of folk music (Tibetan Dance) -- but all are unmistakably Chinese. The entire album is compiled with a keen sense of balance and "flow." Sisi Chen's playing is breathtaking, and she truly tells a unique and living story with each piece. Once heard this album will surely become a favorite.

Average customer rating: Chinese Dulcimer Master

Art of the Chinese Dulcimer Professor Xu Pingxin Manufacturer: Arc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music China | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music China | Far East | Compilations | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001IIQ Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

1. The Spring Arrives At Qing River
2. Happy Song
3. Sunshine Over Tashkurgan
4. Three Six
5. Raindrops Beating On Banana Leaves
6. Curtain Upside Down
7. Su Wu Herding Sheep
8. Crescent Moon In Deep Night
9. Planting Song
10. General's Command
11. Dance Melody Of The Southern Xinjiang
12. Festival In The Tianshan
13. Dragon Boat
14. Open The Fountain Of Happiness

Customer Reviews:

Chinese Dulcimer Master.......2007-04-09

This is a great CD, the entire CD is well produced and executed. If you are attracted to this type of music you will truely enjoy this title.

Average customer rating: Dragon Boat music... and more!

Art of the Chinese Dulcimer Professor Xu Pingxin Manufacturer: Arc Music ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music China | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | Far East & Asia | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music China | Far East | Compilations | International | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000008S7N Release Date: 1995-11-21

Tracks:

1. Spring Arrives at Qing River
2. Happy Song
3. Sunshine Over Tashkurgan
4. Three Six
5. Raindrops Beating on Banana Leaves
6. Curtain Upside Dow
7. Su Wu Herding Sheep
8. Crescent Moon in Deep Night
9. Planting Song
10. General's Command
11. Dance Melody of the Southern Xinjiang
12. Festival in the Tianshan
13. Dragon Boat
14. Open the Fountain of Happiness

Customer Reviews:

Dragon Boat music... and more!.......2004-09-02

Quickie Synopsis: This is a magical cd!

Slightly more in-depth review: If you don't know what a hammered dulcimer (the yang qin in China) is, just think of something that sounds perfectly between a big-toned, gorgeous sounding resonant brass doorbell and a grand piano. It's an ancient instrument that is found everywhere from Iran to Hungary to China, and plenty of places in between.

Professor Xu Pingxin is an astounding player! From slow, gentle caressing of the melodies to ungodly high-velocity attacking of the melody, he can do it all. There are times on this cd where you will swear you can feel your pulse and blood-pressure rising. What makes his fast..his very fast... playing so spectacular is that he doesn't revert to trite riffing the faster he plays. He still executes melodies and rhythms with lunar precision and amazing tone even at his fastest speeds, speeds that are crazy. I can't even think as fast as he plays.

I'm not sure what it is about this album, but it only moderately moves me when I listen to it in headphones, but in the main stereo or in the car it's absolutely riveting from the first to last notes. Something about this music just begs to be free... it needs to be out in the air or something, I guess. Also it could be that his tone just gets better and better at higher volumes, and I don't like to listen to things in headphones all that loudly. This is a high-quality, big, full-sounding recording.

I've had this in the car with people who by their own admission "Don't listen to this type of stuff" who have loved this disc. This really is an incredibly special recording of Chinese melodies ranging from the very old to the modern (but it is still all unaccompanied yang qin, no sort of pop or keyboards or anything horrid like that), and if you're lucky enough to have found this disc, you may as well top-off your luck by buying it.

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