Cutetudes
Cutetudes (‘cute’ + ‘études’) is a set of 20 short classically – related, humorous piano pieces which pianist Ke Lin commissioned Julian Yu.
As well as "Cutetudes" this CD includes two excerpts from Julian Yu's oriental version of Pictures at an Exhibition and others.This is a collection of short pieces, full of creativity and humour, is inspired by a dedicated study and exploration of classical composers and their compositions ... from Europe, China and Japan.
Both the music and the title reflect the blending of language and culture through music. The English word “cute” – meaning attractive, especially in a dainty way was blended with the French word “etude” meaning study.
Other longer works include Impromptu, a highly sophisticated work first improvised by Julian Yu on the piano in 1981; his breathtaking China Rhapsody; and an oriental arrangement of two movements from Pictures at an Exhibition, characterised by Chinese-style embellishments and imitations of Chinese zither sounds.
Artists
Ke Lin
Ke Lin was born in Shanghai and started learning the piano at age 3. However, his interest in playing piano only began at age 12 after hearing a recording of Chopin’s ‘Fantaisie Impromptu’.
Julian Yu
The multi-award winning Australian composer Julian Yu employs a musical language imbued with a high degree of elegance and expressiveness, which are both enhanced by an impeccable craft and special attention to detail.
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Condensed Prelude :01
- Two Swans Under Two Moons 2:38
- Compound Tragedy 2:32
- A Phone Call To Mozart :38
- What for Elise? 2:26
- Finished Symphony 1:19
- Czemissimo 1:06
- Why are Butterflies Sad? 1:48
- Folk Tune on Bach :45
- Interrupted Symphony 1:26
- Dovetailed Interlude 1:04
- Oriental Canon 2:49
- On Wings of Stars 1:11
- Harmonic Phrases at an Exhibition 3:12
- God Save Hanon :43
- Hanonica :46
- Paganini and the Hundred Birds 1:11
- Rondo alla Twinka 1:15
- Caterpoint 2:14
- To Comrade Shotakovich 2:14
- Impromptu Julian Yu 3:37
- China Rhapsody Julian Yu 10:09
- The Happy Couple Returns Home Julian Yu 3:32
- Promenade 1:52
- The Great Gate 6:23
- Music for Symphony Orchestra Yasushi Akutagawa Arr: Julian Yu 5:08
Cutetudes Julian Yu
Pictures at an Exhibition Modest Mussorgsky Arr: Julian Yu
Performers
Composers
Modest Mussorgsky
Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky (1839 - 1881) was a Russian composer, one of the group known as "The Five". He was an innovator of Russian music in the romantic period. He strove to achieve a uniquely Russian musical identity, often in deliberate defiance of the established conventions of Western music.
Where to listen
Cutetudes is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Cutetudes is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
Related recordings
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