Credits:

Yuja Wang

Description:

American Beauty - Yuja Wang's artistry shines through in world premiere recording of her musicNew album "The American Project" by Yuja Wang, a pianist from China who is active around the world. It features the world premiere recording of a new work, "Piano Concerto," composed especially for her by composer, conductor, and longtime friend Teddy Abrams (b.1987). Conducted by Abrams himself, Yuja Wang performs with flair along with the Louisville Orchestra, of which he is the musical director. The richness of American musical culture and Yuja Wang's deep and broad virtuosity can be felt in this piece. The album also includes "A You Come Here Often?", a solo piano piece composed for her by another great friend of Yuja Wang, Michael Tilson Thomas (b.1944). Teddy Abrams' "Piano Concerto" includes all styles from gospel to Latin American music, and Yuja Wang's solo part clearly shows how well Abrams has grasped her abilities. A rewarding solo cadenza interrupts the piece several times to allow Yuja Wang to take the spotlight.Teddy Abrams and Yuja Wang met while studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and Abrams took his first conducting lessons from Michael Tilson Thomas in San Francisco at age 11. And Michael has been a confidant of Yuja Wang's since the beginning of his career. Abrams has praised Yuja Wang as "one of the greatest pianists of our time, if I may say so, one of the greatest pianists who ever lived. Universal Music/IMS

Tracklisting:

1.You Come Here Often? for piano solo
2.Piano Concerto~Overture. Swing
3.Piano Concerto~Cadenza I
4.Piano Concerto~Exposition
5.Piano Concerto~Orchestra Break
6.Piano Concerto~Exploration
7.Piano Concerto~Cadenza II
8.Piano Concerto~Relaxed
9.Piano Concerto~Solos
10.Piano Concerto~Cadenza III
11.Piano Concerto~Return. Swing
12.Piano Concerto~Cadenza IV & Coda