Raw Encores (CD)

Although modern day Renaissance man Ray Arthur Wang holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Electrical Engineering, his main pursuit these days is directing/producing socially conscious films. But RAW is a passionate musician first and foremost, having started piano at age 5 and performed as a concert pianist from age 10 until his retirement from live performance in 2007. This debut RAW album has a little bit of everything. Experience the raw passion from this collection of encore pieces written by composers of different classical periods, recorded either live or for movie soundtrack from 2006 to 2013, and performed on a range of pianos (Fazioli, Steinway, Yahama) as well as organ. RAW even gives two different spins on an all-time favorite, Chopin's beloved Nocturne Op.9, No.2 in E-Flat Major, by recording first a traditional rendition, followed by a super introspective and thought-provoking one.