On its third CD, the Vancouver-based Orchid Ensemble continues its exploration of the crossroads where East meets West. Primarily Chinese in sound, the trio features Lan Tung’s bowed two-string erhu and Mei Han’s zither-like zheng but is rounded out by percussionist Jonathan Bernard on wooden marimba. As on its previous recordings, including 2004’s Juno-nominated Road to Kashgar, the world-music ensemble’s latest mixes ancient strains with modern tones and composed works with improvisational pieces. Some of these, like the stirring nocturnal opener Dancing Moon and the hypnotic Three Variations on Plum Blossom, are written or adapted by Tung. In other cases, the ensemble commissioned works s...
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