Qigang Chen - Enchantements oubliés (2004)
Simply an absolutely gorgeous piece, really showcasing Chen's brilliant impressionistic harmonies and orchestration 00:00 Subtle, warm melodies on luscious, shimmering chords (3:24) More rapid percussion interjections begin to color the soundscape (and foreshadow later sections) (5:04) 06:34 An energetic but ever light dance begins, its rhythm constantly shifting, its mood shifting between carefree and menacing 08:58 A nostalgic return to the melodies of the beginning (10:08) Mini-climax before the dance returns 11:57 Polytonal arpeggios bring a stressed end to the dance, before returning to warm, lyrical melodies, with deep, rich piano and harp chords underneath (12:45) 13:56 Climax: broad, sweeping percussion arpeggios as the violins sing grandly yet so tenderly 15:27 Heart-achingly beautiful solo melodies begin to be played in the resonance of the climax, before the dance picks up again (16:39) 17:38 The warm melodies and the dance begin to mix (This section is just so bright and cheerful) 20:20 ...before dissolving into piercing string chords and polytonal percussion arpeggios 21:34 Final distant echos of the melodies of before, tinged with string clusters, vibraphone, and harp 25:31 A final small burst of color: warm, resonant harp, vibraphone, and marimba, before the music fades away Score available from Gérard Billaudot