Tony Chen Lin - Disgressions (RATTLE RECORDS 2018)

Life seems to be an endless stream of unforeseen digressions; it is often difficult to distinguish them — when they occur, what they depart from, where they lead to. Seen in this light, the realisation of a debut album has certainly been a happy and fortuitous “digression” in my life, and I am thrilled to present it here on Rattle.

The programme consists of three seemingly unrelated works presented in an order that exploits their contrasts to the fullest, suggesting a “narrative” in which each work digresses from a “main subject” to which we may or may not return. In lieu of the token classical sonata that often opens a concert, I jump in with Bartók’s utterly unapologetic Piano Sonata, a unique work deeply rooted in Baroque and Classical traditions — yes, as dissonant as it may sound! I conclude the recital with Schumann’s mercurial Humoreske, a work that exemplifies his polyphonic tendencies in forming ideas. In this respect, both works point to Bach (as great music often does) who occupies centre stage in the programme.

Squeezed in among these giants is my composition, which is partly inspired by the digressive nature of Schumann’s piano music, and partly from digressive — or rather, distracted — moments while studying the Humoreske. Thus, motifs from Schumann’s work surreptitiously find their way in. In concert I often serve it as an hors d’oeuvre of sorts to segue into the tender opening of the Humoreske, cheekily bypassing the difficulty of beginning a work that seemingly does not begin ... but I digress.

My thanks first and foremost go to Prof. Jack C. Richards, without whose generosity and support this project would only have remained a dream. I would also like to thank producer Kenneth Young for his sharp, discerning ear and for pushing me to perform at my best, and engineer Steve Garden, with all the magical powers he seems to possess. I am forever indebted to my wonderful mentors who have been an endless source of inspiration over the years: Rosemary Stott, Edith Fischer, Jorge Pepi-Alos, Balázs Szokolay, Andreas Immer and Neville Baird.

I dedicate this album to my parents, who support me in every way yet beckon me back whenever I digress too far, and to my friends, but above all to my audience. My heartfelt thanks goes to you all for your unwavering support, and for continuing to remind me at crucial moments that what I do actually matters.

Tony Chen Lin, February 2018

DIGRESSIONS

Béla Bartók

Piano Sonata BB 88 (Sz. 80)

01 i. Allegro moderato (4:44)

02 ii. Sostenuto e pesante (4:51)

03 iii. Allegro molto (3:41)

Johann Sebastian Bach

French Suite No.5 in G Major, BWV 816

04 i. Allemande (2:45)

05 ii. Courante (1:37)

06 iii. Sarabande (4:33)

07 iv. Gavotte (1:12)

08 v. Bourrée (1:12)

09 vi. Loure (2:21`)

10 vii. Gigue (3:19)

Tony Chen Lin

11 Digression (Meditation on R.S.) (5:15)

Robert Schumann

Humoreske Op. 20

12 Einfach; Sehr rasch und leicht; Noch rascher; Erstes Tempo, Wie im Anfang (5:45)

13 Hastig; Nach und nach immer lebhafter und stärker; Wie vorher, Adagio (5:18)

14 Einfach und zart; Intermezzo, Adagio (5:11)

15 Innig; Schneller (3:05)

16 Sehr lebhaft; Immer lebhafter, Stretta; Mit einigem Pomp (3:57)

17 Zum Beschluss (6:52)

TONY CHEN LIN: Digression from SOUNZ on Vimeo.