Hear Him

Signum Records | Release date: 17/05/2024 | Pre-order now

An album combining works by Schubert, Piazolla and Lintinen, cellist Trey Lee is joined by the English Chamber Orchestra to perform compositions embracing the effects and impacts of climate change on both the environment and society. The album has two world premiere recordings of new arrangements for both cello and piano, and cello and orchestra by Trey Lee.

“With the cello as a platform, I seek a sober yet trenchant means to tell the story of our seasons, and concurrently, create a musical narrative to account for how this crisis unfolds. This album is a journey across our world from the past to the present, and finally, to an increasingly plausible future through the prism of works by three composers from three eras.” – Trey Lee

Listen to III. Primavera Porteño on Spotify and Apple Music

The Blazing Mirage for Violoncello and Strings was world premiered by Trey Lee and the Munich Chamber Orchestra conducted by Alexander Liebreich on October 26th, 2012, at the New Vision Arts Festival of Hong Kong.  The composer Bright Sheng takes the listener on an aural exploration through the harsh Central Asian landscape that reveals a confluence of world cultures. Utilizing the tonal possibilities of the cello, the music paints an image of the murals that cover the walls of these ancient and mysterious walls, whether it be in the form of flying figures floating in the heavens or of a severe procession of courtly rituals.

The recording is performed by Trey Lee with the composer Bright Sheng conducting the Hong Kong Philharmonic.  He is also one of the soloists featured in Sheng's The Song and Dance of Tears on the same album.  Other soloists include Sa Chen, Pius Cheung, Hui Li and Tong Wu.

A tour de force of cello masterpieces demonstrating Trey’s affinity for the genre. From Schumann’s tenderness to Mendelssohn’s exuberance, to Chopin’s bravura—this album is a journey into the many-faceted emotional realm of the 19th century. The album was recorded with Tchaikovsky Competition Accompanying Prize winner pianist Noreen Cassidy-Polera and produced by multiple Grammy Award winner Da-Hong Seetoo.

A Bonus DVD by international award winning producer Ellis Fung Ka Leung (Cross Media) is now available with the CD.

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A selection of romantic period works as well as more exotic works from the far corners of Europe, ranging from the Iberian Peninsula to the Baltic. Trey was inspired to record many of the works not only for their sheer beauty and expressiveness, but also because they are seldom heard by the general public. The album is a real treasure trove of musical jewels.

Recorded with acclaimed Finnish Tango pianist Jarkko Riihimaki and Japanese pianist Megumi Hashiba.

Trey makes his feature film debut playing the original film score for "The Drummer", a Hong Kong-Taiwan-German co-production starring Jaycee Chan ("Invisible Target"), Tony Leung Ka Fai ("Election", "The Lover"), Lee Sinje ("Re-cycle", "The Eye"), and the renowned Chinese Zen drumming troupe, U Theatre.

The film made its world premiere at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland on August 9th, 2007, where it was voted "Favorite Dramatic Film" by the 8,000-strong audience. In January 2008 it became the first Hong Kong film selected for competition at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was named "Critics’ Pick" by The Hollywood Reporter. It has gone on to win the "Audience Favorite" honor in Seattle and Toronto, and has been sold to over 50 countries.

The film received critical acclaim for its powerful music element. It was nominated for Best Original Film Score at the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Hollywood’s leading film industry trade paper, Variety, is particularly impressed with its composition: "[its] chamber- like score is ……a powerful assist, with mournful cello solos and subtle string writing adding genuine emotion...."