Anthony Cheung - Cheung: Cycles & Arrows (LP)

Anthony Cheung's "Cheung: Cycles & Arrows" is a captivating exploration of avant-garde music, released on New Focus Recordings in 2018. This album is a testament to Cheung's innovative compositional style, blending intricate arrangements with a deep sense of musical narrative. The centerpiece of the album is "The Real Book of Fake Tunes," a five-movement work for flute and string quartet that showcases Cheung's ability to weave complex, interwoven melodies with a sense of playfulness and wit. The album also includes a variety of shorter pieces, such as "More Marginalia," "Assumed Roles," and the three-part "Bagatelles," each offering a unique glimpse into Cheung's diverse musical influences and techniques. With a total runtime of over an hour and eleven minutes, "Cheung: Cycles & Arrows" is a rich and rewarding listening experience that highlights the composer's mastery of form and structure, as well as his ability to create deeply engaging and original music.