"Rossini’s 'The Barber of Seville,' another iconic tune, perhaps most widely heard in the Warner Bros' Bugs Bunny short 'The Rabbit of Seville' uses the famous overture to score a hilarious battle for dominance between Bugs and Elmer Fudd. Composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco paraphrases 'The Barber of Seville' into a concert showpiece for violin or cello with piano. I prefer the greater fireworks in the violin version, which was written for Jascha Heifetz, and ended up transcribing it for cello."
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Figaro, a Concert-Rhapsodie on Rossini's "Barber of Seville," for Cello and Piano (for Heifetz, arr. by Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
"Rossini’s 'The Barber of Seville,' another iconic tune, perhaps most widely heard in the Warner Bros' Bugs Bunny short 'The Rabbit of Seville' uses the famous overture to score a hilarious battle for dominance between Bugs and Elmer Fudd. Composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco paraphrases 'The Barber of Seville' into a concert showpiece for violin or cello with piano. I prefer the greater fireworks in the violin version, which was written for Jascha Heifetz, and ended up transcribing it for cello."
Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Figaro, a Concert-Rhapsodie on Rossini's "Barber of Seville," for Cello and Piano (for Heifetz, arr. by Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
See the companion short film at youtu.be/ZrtN4ECkrS8Bion Tsang | Bach Cello Suites | TeaserBion Tsang Music2021-07-03 | Bion Tsang Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) 6 Suites for Violoncello Solo (BWV 1007–1012)
Recorded at Bastyr Chapel, Seattle, with the 1713 “Bass of Spain” Stradivarius, from the Fulton Collection
Microphones: Brüel & Kjær 4011, Brüel & Kjær 4003, Sennheiser MKH 800 Preamps and Mixer: Millennia Media and Yamaha DM1000
Engineered by Simon James Mastered by Michael Fine
A remote performance of Franz Schubert's Sonata for in A minor, D. 821, "Arpeggione," for Cello and Piano, presented as part of the Seattle Chamber Music Society's 2020 Online Summer Festival Concert #10 (premiered August 3, 2020).
MORE on audio library at: http://www.biontsang.com FOLLOW US on Twitter: twitter.com/biontsang LIKE US on Facebook: facebook.com/biontsangmusicBion Tsang Dvorak/Enescu with Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Teaser 2Bion Tsang Music2019-06-18 | BION TSANG Dvorak | Enescu Cello Concerto | Symphonie Concertante
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Scott Yoo, Conductor
Recorded at the RSNO Centre & New Auditorium at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 13 & 15 September 2018
Produced by Michael Fine Edited and Mixed by Michael Fine Recording Engineer: Wolf-Dieter Karwatky Assistant Producer: Tamra Saylor Fine Assistant Engineer: Hedd Peter Morfett-Jones
Sony Classical S80459C Available at Amazon and iTunes
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Scott Yoo, Conductor
Recorded at the RSNO Centre & New Auditorium at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 13 & 15 September 2018
Produced by Michael Fine Edited and Mixed by Michael Fine Recording Engineer: Wolf-Dieter Karwatky Assistant Producer: Tamra Saylor Fine Assistant Engineer: Hedd Peter Morfett-Jones
Sony Classical S80459C Available at Amazon and iTunes
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts (Boston).
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video ProductionMendelssohn Song WIthout Words (Tsang & Parker)Bion Tsang Music2018-02-17 | Felix Mendelssohn, Song Without Words, Op. 109, for Cello and Piano Bion Tsang, cello Jon Kimura Parker, piano #cellist #mendelssohn #biontsangmusic #livemusic Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival August 2017Bion Tsang Music Live StreamBion Tsang Music2017-06-21 | ...Bion Tsang, Cello + Lo-Chien Kao, Piano - Ponce Estrellita (Live at Austin City Hall)Bion Tsang Music2017-06-12 | Manuel Ponce Estrellita (My Little Star) for Cello and Piano (arr. Heifetz/Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Recorded live at "Made in Texas, Hosted by Bion Tsang" with special guests Carrie Rodriguez and Luke Jacobs celebrating the CD release of "The Blue Rock Sessions" #cellist #ponce#biontsangmusic #livemusic Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 6:30pm Austin City Hall Atrium
Bion Tsang: The Blue Rock Sessions available at Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and SpotifyTchaikovsky - None but the Lonely Heart Op. 6 No. 6 for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2017-04-19 | Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky None but the Lonely Heart, Op. 6, No. 6, for Cello and Piano (arr. by Stern/Tsang)
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
ISRC QM69B1602121Chopin Nocturne in E-flat Major (Live at Austin City Hall)Bion Tsang Music2017-04-17 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2, for Cello and Piano (arr. Casals)
Bion Tsang, Cello Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Recorded live at "Made in Texas, Hosted by Bion Tsang" with special guests Carrie Rodriguez and Luke Jacobs celebrating the CD release of "The Blue Rock Sessions"
Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 6:30pm Austin City Hall Atrium
Bion Tsang: The Blue Rock Sessions available at Amazon, Google Play, iTunes and SpotifyARTS IN CONTEXT - Bion Tsang, Cello and Anton Nel, PianoBion Tsang Music2017-03-21 | Recorded in the original home of AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, KLRU-TV Studio 6A in Austin, TexasFigaro, Figaro, Figaro! - Bion Tsang, Cello + Ceclia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano dir: Sam RodenBion Tsang Music2017-03-13 | Directed by Sam Roden, "Figaro: A Prickly Sibling Story" features prize-winning cellist Bion Tsang and his two sons in a classic tale of sibling rivalry -- where attention is the prize. Tsang transcribed this score (by composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco) for cello from the violin version written for famed violinist Jascha Heifetz.
Figaro, a Concert-Rhapsodie on Rossini's "Barber of Seville," for Cello and Piano, composer: Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (for Heifetz, arr. by Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano Director: Sam Roden
See the original studio video at youtu.be/ZNIH3a4i03sTchaikovsky None but the Lonely Heart, Op. 6, No. 6, for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2017-02-24 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
"I have to admit that ever since hearing a recording of "The Three Tenors" concert in Rome from the summer of 1990, I have been drawn to the power and drama of operatic arias. Transcribing Tchaikovsky’s "None but the Lonely Heart" for cello provided me with the perfect opportunity to put myself in the shoes of an opera singer."
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky None but the Lonely Heart, Op. 6, No. 6, for Cello and Piano (arr. by Stern/Tsang) Transcribed from original vocal/piano score in D-flat major
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1601010Sgambati Serenata Napoletana, Op. 24, No. 2, for Cello & Piano (arr. by Casals)Bion Tsang Music2017-02-24 | "Sgambati’s "Serenata Napoletana" is the quintessential miniature: there are so many contrasting expressions captured in a span of three minutes. I was so inspired by Pablo Casals’ RCA Victor recording of it from the 1920s. Also wonderful are Gaspar Cassadò’s Columbia recording of it and Jascha Heifetz’s RCA Victor recording of it in its original violin and piano version."
Giovanni Sgambati Serenata Napoletana, Op. 24, No. 2, for Cello and Piano (arr. by Casals)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1601515Chopin Nocturne in E-flat Major Op. 9, No. 2, for Cello & Piano (arr. Casals)Bion Tsang Music2017-02-24 | "I dare say that Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat is one of the rare pieces that actually works better as a transcription. It’s not unlike Modest Mussorgsky's “Pictures at an Exhibition,” originally composed for solo piano, but performed and heard far more often in symphonic form as orchestrated by Maurice Ravel. The beautiful, flowing melodies in the E-flat Nocturne lend themselves so perfectly to the cantabile quality of the cello."
Note: updated 2/28, changed "Rimsky-Korsakov” to “Modest Mussorgsky" with thanks to Sammy Baez for the catch!
Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in E flat, Op. 9, No. 2, for Cello and Piano (arr. Casals)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1601616The Swan from The Carnival of the Animals for Cello & Piano (Camille Saint-Saëns)Bion Tsang Music2017-02-24 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
Music: Camille Saint-Saëns, The Swan, from "The Carnival of the Animals," for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
"I was initially inspired to learn the Tchaikovsky Valse Sentimentale after seeing a video of Gregor Piatigorsky playing it with his longtime pianist Ralph Berkowitz. (The film footage was apparently shot sometime in the 1950s and was intended for a movie short featuring pianist Artur Rubinstein, violinist Jascha Heifetz and Piatigorsky.) Piatigorsky, in the video, makes use of down bow staccato—a true rarity, especially in cello repertoire and technique—in the most graceful, artful manner. I told myself that I had to learn the piece just to be able to try playing down bow staccato as Piatigorsky did. I then came across Isaac Stern’s recording of the Valse Sentimentale with pianist Alexander Zakin, which just blew me away emotionally. I ended up transcribing Stern’s version, which stays in the key of the original solo piano version—F minor—and keeps an important theme that most transcriptions—including Piatigorsky’s—omit."
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky Valse Sentimentale, Op. 51, No. 6, for Cello & Piano (arr. by Stern/Tsang)
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
ISRC QM69B1601212Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole El paño moruno for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole ""El paño moruno" for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
ISRC QM69B1600404Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole Asturiana for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole "Asturiana" for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1600505Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole Jota for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Manuel de Falla, Suite Populaire Espagnole "Jota" for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1600606Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole Nana for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole "Nana" for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1600707Manuel de Falla, Suite Populaire Espagnole Cancion for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Manuel de Falla Suite Populaire Espagnole "Cancion" for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1600808Manuel de Falla, Suite Populaire Espagnole Polo for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Available on iTunes + GooglePlay Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang
ISRC QM69B1600909Dvořák Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7, for Cello and PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
Antonín Dvořák Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7, for Cello and Piano (arr. by Heifetz/Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts (Boston).
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
ISRC QM69B1600101Tchaikovsky Mélodie in E-flat Major, Op. 42, No. 3, for Cello & PianoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
"Tchaikovsky's Mélodie in E flat is where it all started: my envy of violin repertoire. Listening to Jascha Heifetz’s recording of the Tchaikovsky Mélodie, I was hooked forever into his (and others') old-world sound and interpretations of violin showpieces and miniatures." - Bion Tsang
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Mélodie in E flat, Op. 42, No. 3, for Cello and Piano (arr. by Heifetz/Tsang)
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts (Boston).
Sergei Rachmaninoff Danse Orientale, Op. 2 , No. 2 for Cello & Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Bros. Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
ISRC QM69B1601414
Music available here: imslp.org/wiki/2_Pieces,_Op.2_(Rachmaninoff,_Sergei)Rachmaninoff Prelude, Op. 2, No. 1, for Cello & Piano - Bion Tsang, Cecilia Lo-Chien KaoBion Tsang Music2016-12-30 | We cellists are blessed that Rachmaninoff composed not only a magnificent cello sonata — his only non-piano sonata — but also two opus 2 miniatures for cello and piano (composed in 1892 when he was only 19!).
They are a testament to his special affinity for the cello. Here is the first one, Prelude.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Prelude, Op. 2, No. 1, for Cello and Piano
Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
From Bion Tsang - The Blue Rock Sessions Hear audio library at biontsang.com Connect at twitter.com/BionTsang Additional recordings: iTunes + GooglePlay
"Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance is, of course, an iconic tune. Burned into my memory is a 1991 DuPont Stainmaster carpet television commercial with a baby running around the house in a walker leaving a mess everywhere. When I heard Jascha Heifetz’s recording of Sabre Dance for violin and piano, I thought, 'How cool…I have to play this on the cello, octaves, tenths and all!'
"When my wife and I lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in the 90s, our apartment doorbell had the exact same pitches and rhythm of the last two tag notes of the Sabre Dance melody (F—D). Whenever I was practicing the Sabre Dance and my wife happened to be coming home from someplace, she would wait to ring the doorbell to be exactly in sync with my practicing before she’d open the door."
Aram Khachaturian Sabre Dance, from "Gayane," for Cello and Piano (arr. by Heifetz/Tsang) Bion Tsang, Cello Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao, Piano
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production
ISRC QM69B1601717Mélodie, from Orpheus et Euridyce - Bion Tsang (cello) & Cecilia Lo-Chien Kao (piano)Bion Tsang Music2016-12-02 | Bion Tsang, Cellist
"Hearing a recording of violinist Isaac Stern with pianist Alexander Zakin play the Gluck “Mélodie” years ago prompted me to transcribe it for cello. Stern’s most subtle nuances in timing and use of portamenti are simply magical, and I love playing this piece." - Bion Tsang
Christoph Willibald Gluck Mélodie, from "Orpheus et Euridyce," for Cello and Piano
Recorded at Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, in 24-bit audio and 1080p video. This recording made possible by the generous support of the Foundation for Chinese Performing Arts.
Andy Murphy, Panda Productions, Audio Recording Sam Roden, Rodanti Films, Video Production