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| Every classical guitarist is a Spaniard, and young Xue Fei Yang is, too -- despite the fact that she was born in Beijing. The liner notes of her new CD (EMI) tell us that the Spanish ambassador to China once awarded her a handmade guitar. She was the first student to major in guitar at Beijing's Central Conservatory (easy to believe). And no less an authority than the late Joaquin Rodrigo danced praises on her. |
| On this CD, Ms. Yang does indeed play a lot of Spanish music, including a piece by Rodrigo. And what playing it is: stirring and smart; tangy and beautiful. Plus, Ms. Yang has no end of technique -- none. She can be dizzying (without sacrificing musically) and she can be potent: The strumming in Albeniz's "Asturias" goes right through you. |
| Furthermore, this CD contains a variety of repertoire -- including pop songs. There is an arrangement of a Lennon/McCartney song, "Michelle", by Takemitsu (how's that for multiculturalism?). And then there are Chinese songs. |
| In coming years, we will all become more familiar with Chinese music, as musicians from that country come to the fore. The pianist Lang Lang, for example, plays Chinese pieces as encores. Singers will sing their songs. And now we even have a guitarist, who has made a brilliant album. I was moved by the musicianship and the very person of this extraordinary young lady. Discover her for yourself. |
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| -Jay Nordlinger |
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