CHINARY UNG (b.1942): In Memoriam for Piano Trio, HIM SOPHY (b.1963): The First Strike for Voice and Piano Trio, JACK BODY (b.1944): O Cambodia for Voices and Piano Trio, GILLIAN WHITEHEAD (b.1941): the river flows on... for Voice and Piano Trio.

Description: This CD is part of a larger project to re-establish and celebrate Cambodian art and cultural traditions, and commemorate the victims of the horrific Khmer Rouge regime. Two New Zealand composers, and two Cambodians offer a variety of perspectives on the country's tragedy and the rich cultural heritage that was in danger of being lost. All the pieces have in common a direct, plain-spoken-ness of emotional utterance, in relatively uncomplicated tonality-based idioms, inflected to a greater or lesser degree by the folk styles (especially notable in the characteristic vocal parts), modes and timbres of traditional Cambodian music. All but Chinary Ung's piece add the distinctive sounds of traditional instruments - percussion, string and wind instruments - to the Western piano trio, in an eloquent dialogue of cultures. Chinary Ung's In Memoriam is in some ways the closest to a western concert piece - the composer is a long-time US resident - though his written vocalizations for the performers add a deeply personal dimension to the trio writing. The New Zealanders make use of folk material and idioms, with the western ensemble almost in an accompanying role, while Him Sophy's piece, a combination of narrative and deeply emotional music drama, packs powerful emotional impact into twelve highly charged minutes. Tray So (vocals), NZTrio.