Yolanda Kondonassis - Never Far Away: Music of Bright Sheng (2009)

‘Never Far Away’ features four orchestral pieces by Chinese composer Bright Sheng, Shanghai Overture, the short ballet The Nightingale and the Rose, and Tibetan Love Song and Swing. The title piece, Never Far Away is a wonderful harp concerto that stretches the instrument’s capabilities to the limit. It was commissioned and is performed by the pre-eminent soloist Yolanda Kondonassis.

Hailed by The New York Times for her “powerful playing and musicianly energy,” Yolanda Kondonassis is considered one of the world’s foremost harpists. She made her solo debut at age 18 with The New York Philharmonic and has since appeared as guest artist with countless orchestras around the world. This disc marks her fifteenth on the Telarc label.

Bright Sheng has been a trendsetter in the world of composition. In 2001, he was selected to receive the MacArthur Foundation’s prestigious “Genius Award.” The award called Sheng “an innovative composer who merges diverse musical customs in works that transcend conventional aesthetic boundaries. He bridges East and West, lyrical and dissonant styles, and historical and contemporary themes to create elegant compositions with a distinctive signature.