PEP (Piano and Erhu Project)

PEP (Piano and Erhu Project) Vol. 1
Nicole Ge Li, erhu
Corey Hamm, piano

Formed in 2011, PEP is an exciting Vancouver-based cross-cultural project in which Nicole Ge Li and Corey Hamm commission Canadian, Chinese and other international composers to write new works for erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle) and piano. While many works already exist for the this instrumental combination, Li and Hamm felt that very few explored the many stylistic paths that have flourished over the past century. The first of three discs, PEP (Piano and Erhu Project) Vol. 1 addresses this paucity, showcasing a number of works by a dizzyingly diverse range of composers: Edward Top’s Lamentation, inspired by the tradition of Taiwanese funeral wailers; Jared Miller’s narrative driven Captive; Laurie Radford’s All Over the Map, drawing parallels with his work in electronics; Jocelyn Morlock’s Verdigris, her tribute to all things that bloom at night; Chen Si Ang’s tradition-steeped Twilight; and Roydon Tse’s Blue n’ Grooves and John Oliver’s Eternity Gaze, both inspired by jazz and blues. The collaborative energy between Li and Hamm is a palpable force and their commitment to this new repertoire is a joy to behold, boding well for Volumes 2 & 3.

PEP (Piano and Erhu Project) Vol. 1 track listing:
1.) Scott Godin: a long the riverrun (6:17)
2.) Roydon Tse: Blues n’ Grooves (4:31)
3.) Edward Top: Lamentation (5:54)
4.) Jared Miller: Captive (8:05)
5.) Jocelyn Morlock: Verdigris (4:04)
6 – 9.) John Oliver: Eternity Gaze (with John Oliver, guitar, 16:54)
10.) Michael Park: Moonless Night (5:44)
11.) Laurie Radford: All Over the Map (7:37)
12.) Chen Si Ang: Twilight (6:27)
13.) Mark Armanini: Goldfish (4:59)

Performers: PEP (Piano and Erhu Project) Nicole Ge Li, erhu; Corey Hamm, piano
Recorded at: Roy Barnett Hall, UBC School of Music
Producers: Don Harder, Nicole Ge Li, and Corey Hamm
Recording Engineer: Don Harder
Translations: Nicole Ge Li
Photography: Robin Wan, Robert Chu, Remy Siu
Cover Photo: Tony Lee
Graphic Design and Manufacturing: Digital Media Group