Getting a newly released tape from Ed Pong is always a highly anticipated treat. None more so than this one: Haydn's cello concerto No.1 in C major, composed around 260 years ago and thought lost until 1961. The cellist is 26 year old Hayoung Choi who is playing a 300 year old Guarneri cello (nicknamed the "Kingman"), once owned by Janos Starker. The accompanying pianist is Yun Yang Lee who has played brilliantly on other UnltraAnalogue tapes. For this performance the level of cello playing is extremely difficult because it has to be simultaneously effortless and expressive (not to mention in tune and pitched on average like a violin) and colorful in order to make sense of the phrasing and all without sounding like hard work. Kind of like pitching a no-hitter during a World Series while sipping lemonade and reading "War and Peace". Not easy! She does it brilliantly and sweetly and still with intensity and clarity throughout. And the sound of that cello, so rich, sonorous, deep and full with agility and that tone!
This is really a winning combination, a musician who is fresh and supremely talented, an incredible sounding instrument and captured by the awesome fidelity of Ed Pong's tape system. I mean if this were just a bootleg cassette tape made with a portable Sony you would still treasure it for its musical wonder, but this is a true state of the art recording that puts you right there. Thank you, Ed for all your efforts to make this event happen.
This is really a winning combination, a musician who is fresh and supremely talented, an incredible sounding instrument and captured by the awesome fidelity of Ed Pong's tape system. I mean if this were just a bootleg cassette tape made with a portable Sony you would still treasure it for its musical wonder, but this is a true state of the art recording that puts you right there. Thank you, Ed for all your efforts to make this event happen.
