“Western music could not change me from the bottom of my heart. Music is very personal, but I could not make my own music if only following the Western style.”

The son of a famous calligrapher and painter, Qigang Chen began studying music as a child and maintained his interest even during the Cultural Revolution. In 1977 he entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and after graduating he studied in France for four years with Olivier Messiaen. He also studied at IRCAM and in Siena with Franco Donatoni. His works, which fuse Chinese and Western elements and concepts, include music for piano and organ, Chinese instruments (alone and with orchestra), and a four-act ballet based on the film Raise the Red Lantern, as well as numerous chamber and orchestral pieces. He was the Music Director for the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Further listening:
Reflet d’un temps disparu (1995-1996)
Yo-Yo Ma, cello; Orchestre National de France,
Charles Dutoit (Virgin Classics)

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