Dreamed Landscapes
Albany, 2022
8/10
A Chinese pianist with a very contemporary vision, Qing Jiang’s unique vision populates these pieces with old and new textures, techniques, and sonic worlds that are fleshed out with both meticulousness and playfulness.
The title track starts the listen with 3 movements of very complex and mesmerizing patterns, where Jiang’s playing can be low and ominous, just as it can be bright and melodic, and, further down the line, the dreamy, stirring presence of “Mazurkas, Op. 27” makes an indelible impression in its balance of space and mystery.
In the middle, the calming nature of “In The Mists” showcases both bare, sublime moments versus tense bouts of dynamic musicianship, and the album exits with the dancing keys of the lively and spirited “Iberia (Book I)”, where the true scope of Jiang’s talents are nothing short of stunning.
An extremely versatile affair, Jiang weaves in and out of gorgeous, fascinating textures that will certainly strike a chord with anyone with an ear for solo piano.
Travels well with: Pan Pacific Ensemble- Ambiguous Traces; Various Artists- Trigger