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Composer of the Month
November 2019
Chen Yi
( 陈怡 )
Born 1953
Chen Yi is a Chinese composer and violinist. She is an immigrant with an incredible story! She was born in Guangzhou, China in 1953. She began playing the violin piano when she was just 3 years old!
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In 1966, there was a big revolution in the Chinese government. When she was 15, the government searched her house and took away all of her music! Chen Yi was forced to work on farms in the country side, and she was only allowed to play music that was about the revolution and about the government. Secretly, she would quietly practice other music she had memorized and also make up her own.
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Evnetually, the government allowed her the freedom to play her own music. Chen Yi become the first woman in China to receive a Master's Degree in Music Composition! In 1986, she moved to New York City, and studied to receive her PhD at Columbia in Music Composition.
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Check out some of her music below. She mixes Chinese traditional instruments and sounds with instruments we are familiar with!
Dragon Rhyme​
This piece of music was meant to represent a dragon! While in European legends, Dragons are thought of as more evil creatures, in Chinese culture, dragons are thought of as a symbol of good luck, power, and strength to those worthy of it.
This piece of music was written for wind ensemble in two movements. The first movement is slower, more mysterious, and more lyrical. The second movement is more powerful, aggressive, and bold.
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The piece of music mixes elements of traditional Chinese music together with elements of Western European music. It symbolizes Chinese culture mixing with the cultural of the world.
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How many differences can you find between the two movements?
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Movement 1
Movement 2
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