Xiao-Dong Wang (better known as "X") is one of the finest string chamber musicians in the world. In this episode, X talks to Chris Grymes about growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution, when it was forbidden to listen to Western music, much less practice it. Through sheer talent, X emerged from China to win two major international competitions as an unknown, and was eventually recruited by Dorothy DeLay to join her in New York at the Juilliard School. X's story is fascinating and he is a wise and insightful interview subject. Enjoy!
Open G + GoPro = Awesome
Recently four Open G artists (Xak, Zvi, X, and myself) got together to rehearse and perform Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet for The End of Time". I set up my GoPro on a headmount and took a couple of brief rehearsal clips from my vantage point. The results ended up being pretty cool!
The first clip is from the end of our second day of rehearsal. We were completely tired out, but I convinced the guys to play the last few minutes of the sixth movement ("Dance of Fury, of The Seven Trumpets") for the camera. I'm really glad I did! The second clip is from our first day of rehearsals, and is probably the second run at the fourth movement ("Interlude").
