Chen Yi (*1953)
was born in Guang-zhou, China. Already at the age of three, she started training the violin, the piano and later music theory, too. Afterwords, she studied at the Peking Central Conservatory and at the Columbia University New York.
Chen Yi’ s compositions combine tradional eastern elements (Chinese liking, style and spirit) with western characters (structure, form, orchestration). She was brought forward by the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was awarded with renowned prices, for example the Charles Ives Living Award, the Grammy Award and the Concert Music Award.
Because of an enormous number of commissions by namable institutions, orchestras and artists from all over the world, her music is performed worldwide and attracts a national public of different cultures. Numerous price-awarded recordings of her works with international musical stars have been published.
Chen Yi is a worldwide-demanded lecturer and tutor for composition work shops. She is guest professor of several Chinese universities and conservatoires and since 1998 professor for composition at the Conservatory of the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Night Thoughts - a lyrical poem for flute, cello and piano (2004)
| Auf die Ruhestatt der Mond scheint, In Gedanken der Frost sich über den Boden wälzt. Erhobenen Hauptes den strahlenden Mond betrachtend, Mit gesenktem Kopfe von der Heimat träumen... |
According to her own statement, Chen Yi was inspired by the old Chinese poem „Night Thoughts“ The author of this poem is the brillant poet Li Bai, who lived and worked from 618 to 907 in the Tang dynasty. Night Thoughts is dedicated to the president of "Meet the Composer", Ms Heather Hitchen. With her composition, Chen Yi appreciates the engaged work of Ms Hitchen and her great assistance for contemporary composers and modern composing in America. The world premiere took place on April 28, 2004 at the Virginia Arts Festival.
Source: Chen Yi private/German Translation: Uta Ackermann, Christiane Meininger