Silk Road Journeys - When Strangers Meet

Silk Road Journeys "When Strangers meet" Yo-Yo Ma & the Silk Road EnsembleThis has to be one of Yo-Yo Ma's finest CD's. With the cello there is such a magnificent blend of instruments that one feels right on the Silk Road. I found that the "silky" feeling is particularly strong on Track 5: Zhao Jiping: Moon over Guan Mountains through Tracks 6 and 7: Michio Mamiya: Five Finnish Folksongs and then Track 8 Avaz-e Dashti (Pesian Traditional)but then continues in a different feel of different kinds of silk. Although it is an auditory feeling there is very much a kinesthetic feeling in this CD.Besides traditional orchestral instruments, there is a fascinating array of musical instruments with their own kind of onomatopoeic names other than flutes, lutes, organs, drums, and fiddles. The printed insert is a superb piece of poetic writing to guide one on the origins of this Ensemble. It is certainly a masterpiece of music to listen to on one's own in particular. It is a kind of meditation and one where one can relate to immediately for peace of mind and spirit. The ensemble was formed on trust, according to Yo-Yo Ma. So "trust" me this is splendid! I look forward to more of this type of music.Genie AlbrechtWindhoek Namibia.

Most "fusion" recordings remind me of a pretentious little restaurant in Salt Lake City that jumbles together French haute cuisine and Chinese condiments. Name of "Haut Chinoise" or some such--three perfectly poached spears of asparagus, garnished with ginger. Right. The digestif is a chocolate-dipped fortune cookie.But occasionally something comes along like Yehudi Menuhin's collaborations with Ravi Shankar or this, cellist Yo-Yo Ma's ambitious blend of classical instruments with the music of central and eastern Asia; and the potential for evolving new art from spliced traditions is realized.This is not classical slumming, nor is it Middle Eastern folk music jazzed up. It hasn't the odd discontinuity one hears when the trained voice of an opera star sings gospel music or folk songs "correctly." The compositions and arrangements present a unified suite of sound, moving as comfortably as a caravan from Renaissance Italy (with a side trip to Finland!) to Persia, Mongolia, and into China.The sound is exotic, from the initial shock of the piercing Mongolian street singer's shrill tremulo to the belly dance rhythms of the later pieces. The quality of the sound is impeccable, as one would expect of an artist as meticulous at Yo-yo Ma. I heard this on the radio, and ordered it immediately. How glad I am, that CDs don't wear out.

I'm editing my review. I had only heard one song prior to purchase and quickly realized that there are varying types of music on this disc. Disappointed at first, but it began to grow on me. It is a lush soundtrack for a movie in my mind, much as the film Latcho Drom traces the movement of the Gypsies from India to Spain through music, this is a musical tracing of the route of ancient traders from east to west.This disc is a journey.

This is a great CD that lifts my spirits every time I play it.

mesmerizing music. Close your eyes, relax in a comfortable chair and escape from the anxiety of the pandemic through the exotic sounds of cultures orchestrated by the Silk Road Ensemble.

This is music for the intrepid, for adventurous spirits, who will surely not be disappointed. I felt like I'd taken a virtual journey along the ancient Silk Road and it stirred a great curiosity about the cultures of the region. Perhaps this is what Yo-Yo Ma intended. The rich, haunting vocals stir up powerful mental images of exotic places, especially the Mongolian track. All the musicians are at the pinnacle of their art form. Bravo to Yo-Yo for bringing this marvelous experience to us armchair voyagers. Excellent CD in every respect.

Musicians from the countries along the old Silk Road, from the Mediterranean to the heartland of China, came together to share musical traditions and create new works. The engaging compositions range from dance to avant-garde, from duos to large groups, and from soulful to spirited. To my ear, this is the most successful of several "Silk Road" recordings.

The music on this recording is stunning, but I have a problem with the sound engineering. It's one of those recordings that require constant volume adjustment - which I despise. Sometimes you have to turn the volume to the max, and then you get blown out of the water and have to turn it crank it down - a constant nuisance! Maybe this is just a quirk of mine, but would have given this recording a five otherwise.

The music on this CD requires some serious engagement as it contains a lot of ethnic content. I enjoy much Chinese/Asian ethnic music but I find this material generally hard work. Even my wife who is chinese found it hard to engage with the music. I guess I was expecting music more akin to that broadcast in a recent television programme, which was wonderful. I applaud the intent behind Yo Yo Ma's efforts with the Silk Road Ensemble and tried with another CD - Beyond the Horizon. See separate (more positive) review.

This item is an early edition of the Silk Road Ensemble very experimental music almost avant garde not very easy on the ear although Yo-Yo Ma has a good reputation for good quality

acquired taste. you have to like oriental and occidental music of all types to enjoy this. I do.

Good Product of an unusual CD recording and Service

As described thanks.