Tan Dun: Buddha Passion
Orchestre National de Lyon, International Choir Academy Lübeck, Tan Dun
This is an attractive work, instantly and uncomplicatedly gratifying. Where the Water Passion wrestles and distils and provokes, the Buddha Passion affirms and entertains. Is it enough? Perhaps....
Tan Dun: Buddha Passion
Orchestre National de Lyon, International Choir Academy Lübeck, Tan Dun
Purchase product
This is an attractive work, instantly and uncomplicatedly gratifying. Where the Water Passion wrestles and distils and provokes, the Buddha Passion affirms and entertains. Is it enough? Perhaps....
About
Decca releases the world-premiere recording of this epic choral work, composed and conducted by the OSCAR, Grammy and BAFTA award-winning and UNESCO Global Goodwill Ambassador Tan Dun. The monumental work, involving massed choirs, large orchestra, six percussionists and an array of soloists including indigenous singers, traditional Chinese instruments and a dancing pipa player, is the first such ‘Passion’ on a Buddhist rather than Christian narrative. Set at the foot of the Himalayas and inspired by Chinese and Sanskrit texts, the captivating and life-affirming score fuses the ancient wisdom of Buddhism with the musical tradition of JS Bach’s Passions, featuring hypnotic orchestral textures and Eastern vocal techniques. Recorded at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center Concert Hall in 2019 with Orchestre National de Lyon and International Choir Academy Lübeck, conducted by Tan Dun with eminent Chinese soloists.
Contents and tracklist
- Shenyang (bass-baritone), Zhu Huiling (soprano), Yining Chen (pipa), Sen Guo (soprano), Chuanyue Wang (tenor), Zhu Huiling (mezzo-soprano), Batubagen (vocalist)
- Internationale Chorakademie, Orchestre National de Lyon
- Tan Dun
- Recorded: 2019-06-20
- Recording Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Shanghai
Awards and reviews
October 2023
This is an attractive work, instantly and uncomplicatedly gratifying. Where the Water Passion wrestles and distils and provokes, the Buddha Passion affirms and entertains. Is it enough? Perhaps. Is it really a Passion? I’m not so sure.