Born: 1953, Guangzhou, China

“Here’s what I would say to an aspiring composer: 1) go deeply into your life, love nature and people and the society, feel the beauty and effect of your passion, and 2) work hard to produce music that meets your head (meaning music that is technically refined) and that meets your heart (that is, music that is sincere and original).”

Trained on the violin and piano as a child, Chen Yi studied composition at the Central Conservatory in Beijing after the Cultural Revolution. She went on to take a doctorate at Columbia University, studying with Chou Wen-chung and Mario Davidovsky. Her music, which includes three symphonies and a piano concerto as well as works for Chinese instruments, combines Western and Chinese techniques and traditions.

Further listening:
Tang Poems (1995)
Chanticleer (Teldec)

Percussion Concerto (1998)
Evelyn Glennie; Singapore
Symphony, Lan Shui (BIS