New Waves
Albany, 2024
9/10
The viola and violin player Patrick Yim brings us eight world premieres across what is the most comprehensive and expansive album of Chinese solo string works yet.
A pair of Chen Yi pieces starts the listen, where “Happy Tune for violin and viola” blends Yim swift violin and Born Lau’s viola with much energy, and “Memory for solo viola” allows Yim’s stirring viola to emit much beauty and poeticism.
Into the middle, “JI#7 Motionless Water for violin solo”, by Qu Xiao-song, spotlights Yim’s violin that’s manipulated with creativity and warmth, while “This is All About That Monster for violin and electronics” blends Yim’s distinct strings with an ominous backdrop of intrigue and mystery.
At the end, both Kai-Young Chan’s contributions are quite atypical. “a boat going nowhere for violin and fixed media” meshes the stirring strings with much ambience via the fixed media, and “in search of for violin and fixed media” continues that lead into wandering voices for the busy versus minimal moments.
Yim’s resume is astounding, and this exciting and thoughtful body of work continues his exploration of contemporary music with unparalleled awe.
Travels well with: Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra- Harmony In Black; Narong Prangcharoen- Sound, Echo, And Silence