Song Zuying - Epics of Love (2022) [Hi-Res]

Renowned Chinese ethnic vocalist Song Zuying, accompanied by conductor Yu Long and China Philharmonic Orchestra, performs an anthology of ancient Chinese poems that spans over 2,500 years of time.

The essence of love both graceful and epic, transforming over generations through the works of Chinese "Literati", is wonderfully embodied into the sensational vocal performance of the unique singer.

With an ensemble of prominent musical talents in the country, the album illustrates the marriage of East and West by modern classical orchestrations and choirs crossing-over with exotic Chinese solo instruments and recitals. Tasked with such an ambitious project, the Stockfisch crew travelled to Beijing with their own equipment in 2011, recorded in the spectacular concert hall of China National Radio.

Before the invention of pictogram characters, Chinese in ancient times just used simple instinctive sounds to express emotion. These sounds developed into tunes which were composed about experiences in everyday life, and these in turn became catchy melodies which were passed down through generations. This is what we now call a “song”. Then, after sophisticated Chinese characters emerged, people began to incorporate lyrics into the tunes. A typical song had two parts; one is the melody - to express emotion - the other is the lyric, which records events.

The Book of Songs (Shi Jing) is the oldest compilation of poetry in Chinese history (circa 1046-771 B.C.). It comprised of three sections: “stylistic”(feng), “classic”(ya) and “ritualistic”(song), all of which could be performed vocally together with instruments. The book is considered to be the very foundation of Chinese literature and art. Track 1 "Crying Ospreys" on this SACD is taken from "The Book of Songs".

Song Zuying, vocals
Children’s Choir of China Central Radio
Liao Changyong
Choir of China Opera and Dance Drama Company
China Philharmonic Orchestra
Yu Long, conductor

Digitally remastered