Notes by Joshua Cheek

With the romantic charm of the violin and the tender sounds of the guitar, a world of melody unfolds. There is an intimate quality to both of these instruments – their elegantly carved shapes reminiscent of the female form. When played together, their sounds compliment each other – the endless song of the violin, accompanied by the gentle strumming of a guitar is the perfect serenade, their tender duet framed by silence.

The music selected by Tina Chen Yi and Lars Hannibal for this recital is the soundtrack for a day dream, or the twilight accompaniment for a romantic dinner. The emphasis is on Melody – beautiful, finely arched musical lines that reach beyond the pressures of everyday life and transport you, to a quiet realm of song.

This recording also marks the CD debut of the charismatic, young concert violinist , Chen Yi, Gold Medal winner at the China International Violin competition (2008). As part of the Mendelssohn Bicentennial Celebrations, Ms. Chen was invited to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in Beijing’s new National Center for the Performing Arts.

In 2010 she performed the Nielsen Violin Concerto as part of the Danish Gala Concert in EXPO in Shanghai. This major event marked the artistic dialogue between Denmark and China