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Cao
Xiao Qing, born in 1965 at Tianjin, China, studied at the
Tianjin Collage of Music with Professor Wang Yu Ping from 1984
to 1988. In 1987 he was awarded first prize at the Accordion Competition
of the Peoples Republic of China, and won the City of Tianjin's
Young Artists' Competition. After a short period of teaching in
China, he received, as the first Chinese, permission to study
accordion in Germany. Since 1992 Cao Xiao Qing studied at the
Hanover College of Music and Theater with Professor Elsbeth Moser.
In 1997 he was awarded first prize at the "Seventh German Accordion
Competition" in Baden-Baden. The same year he also won first prize
at the international accordion competition "Citta' di Castelfidardo"
in Italy.
For his recording Cao Xiao Qing
chose baroque music and contemporary music , mainly originally
written for the accordion.
As a musician, Cai Xiao Qing shows
remarkable musicianship. I find his performance of the baroque
pieces absolutely exceptional. As throughout all of his program,
in these pieces it is distinctively clear that the artist has
been thinking of every single detail, polishing it up thoroughly
and very carefully, like a jeweller. As a result, Cao Xiao Qing's
performance is amazingly refined and clear in every detail - stylistically
and technically. What makes a special impression is the combination
of that refinement in expression and mature, profound understanding
of the style.
The second part of the program
contains pieces mainly originally written for the accordion, the
artist shows great tonal culture and ability to masterfully bring
up musical content of the pieces performed through the contemporary
musical language.
I loved Cao's performance of Stravinsky's
Tango - full of wit and inner strength - very impressive. I highly
recommend this recording. *****
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