Recipient of numerous notable awards and commissions, Paul Chihara is renowned for his film and television scores as well as for an extensive catalogue of orchestral, choral and chamber works. Composed for and in close collaboration with award-winning pianist Quynh Nguyen, recognised for her sensitive and poetic playing, the lyrical Concerto-Fantasy is inspired by traditional Vietnamese music, expressing a sense of longing for a peaceful past and projecting jazz-tinged possibilities for the future. From the haiku-like Bagatelles and the haunting intimacy of Ami, to the characters and inspired adaptations that emerge through the Four Reveries on Beethoven, Chihara’s delightfully approachable piano music is full of surprises and discoveries.

Paul Chihara is a new name to our American Classics series, but he is well-established in the international music scene as well as being a sought-after composer for ballet, film and television. Chihara’s music is always rich in content but is highly attractive to a wide audience. Reviewers on MusicWeb International have commented on works such as his ballet The Tempest as ‘not to be missed’, and his chamber music on Bridge as ‘rewarding music and no mistake’.