Cheung: Cycles & Arrows

Anthony Cheung's "Cheung: Cycles & Arrows," released on New Focus Recordings in 2018, is a captivating exploration of avant-garde music that spans a full hour and eleven minutes. This album showcases Cheung's innovative compositional style, blending intricate arrangements for flute and string quartet with solo piano pieces that highlight his technical prowess and imaginative approach.

The album opens with "The Real Book of Fake Tunes," a five-movement suite that reimagines familiar melodies through a prism of contemporary classical techniques. Each movement offers a unique perspective, demonstrating Cheung's ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary. Following this, "More Marginalia" and "Assumed Roles" delve into more abstract territories, showcasing the depth and versatility of Cheung's musical language.

The "Bagatelles" series, consisting of three distinct pieces, offers a playful yet profound exploration of musical ideas, while "Après une lecture" and "Time's Vestiges" conclude the album with reflective and introspective compositions. Throughout "Cheung: Cycles & Arrows," Anthony Cheung's mastery of form and structure is evident, making this album a compelling listen for those interested in the cutting edge of contemporary classical music.