GMVFEEL : CONTEMPORARY MUSIC & DESIGN

Chen Yi (陈怡; b. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, April 4, 1953) is a Chinese composer of contemporary classical music. She was the first Chinese woman to receive a Master of Arts (M.A.) in music composition from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She is also a violinist.

Chen grew up in Guangzhou, China, into a talented family. Her parents were doctors and musicians; her mother played the piano, and her father the violin. Her older sister was a child prodigy, and even today Chen's older sister and younger brother work as professional musicians in China.

Chen began studying piano at the age of three, studying the music of Western composers such as Bach and Mozart. However, once the Cultural Revolution began in 1966, Western influences were severely shunned and the arts were attacked. For ten years, education came to a halt and people were relocated to work in large communes in countryside. Chen's father and older sister were the first to be sent away, but Chen managed to hide in her hometown a while longer, and continued to practice music, but with some impediments: she was forced to stuff a blanket inside her piano in order to dampen the sound, and play her violin with a mute. At age fifteen, she could hide no more. Her house was searched, her possessions were taken, and the rest of her family was dispersed to different locations to perform compulsory labor in the countryside.

Chen used her time spent laboring in the countryside to learn and appreciate the Chinese folk culture. Her connection with Chinese music would prove a useful tool in finding her own voice for her musical compositions in later life. At age seventeen, she returned to Guangzhou and began working as concertmaster in the orchestra of the Beijing Opera Troupe in Guangzhou.

Chen lived for many years in New York City, and studied composition with Chou Wen-chung and Mario Davidovsky at Columbia University, earning a DMA with distinction. Her husband is the composer Zhou Long. As of 2006, both Chen and Zhou are professors of composition at the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance.

Alongside a great number of orchestral works, Chen has also made many contributions to the choral repertoire and the chamber music repertoire, including works written for traditional Chinese instruments.

Chen's works are published by the Theodore Presser Company.

ANCIENT　BEAUTY，THE(2006) (2 mvts, 10')
Dizi, Xun, Erhu, Pipa, Zheng & String Orchestra
ANCIENT DANCES (2005) (3 mvts, 18')
Pipa and Percussion

…AS LIKE A RAGING FIRE… (2002) (10')
Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano.

ARIRANG (1994) (3').
Mixed Chorus

AS IN A DREAM (1988) (7')
Soprano, Violin, Cello Alternate version for Soprano, Pipa, Zheng

AT THE KANSAS CITY CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT (2002) (3 mvts, 12')
String Quartet

BA BAN (1999) (8')
Piano Solo

BA YIN (2001) (20')
Saxophone quartet with string orchestra

BALLAD, DANCE AND FANTASY (2003) (3 mvts, 27')
Cello, 3333, 4331, Hp, 3 Perc. Str.

BIRTHDAY GREETING FOR AR, DRD, PRISM, SCP (2004) (1' each)
3 instruments, One Piano Four-hands, Saxophone Quartet, Chamber Ensemble

BRIGHT MOONLIGHT (2001) (5')
Mezzo-soprano, Piano

BURNING (2002) (4')
String Quartet

CARAMOOR'S SUMMER (2003) (13')
2(1 Picc.)-2-2-2; 2-1-1-0; Hp., 3Perc., Str.

CELEBRATION (2005) (5')
2222, 2221, T 2 Perc. Str.

CHINA WEST SUITE (2007) (4 mvts, 10 minutes)
Two Pianos

CHINESE ANCIENT DANCES (2004) (2 mvts, 8')
Clarinet, Piano.

CHINESE FABLES (2002) (3 mvts, 13')
Erhu, Pipa, Cello, Percussion

CHINESE FOLK DANCE SUITE (2001) (3 mvts, 22')
2222, 4330, 3 Perc, Violin Solo, Str.

CHINESE MOUNTAIN SONGS (2001) (5 songs, 10')
Treble Chorus

CHINESE MYTHS CANTATA (1996) (3 mvts, 36')
2(Picc)22(Eb&Bcl)2(C) 4230 4 Perc Erhu Pipa Yangqin Zheng, Male Chorus, Str

CHINESE POEMS (1999) (5 mvts, 10')
Six Girls’ Choruses

DUNHUANG FANTASY (1999) (12')
1121 1110 P, Organ

DUO YE (1984) (6')
Piano Solo Alternate version for Pipa Solo

DUO YE for chamber orchestra (1985) (7')
112(Eb)1 1000 P, Str

DUO YE No. 2 for full orchestra (1987) (8')
3(2 Picc)3(EH)3(Bcl)3(Cbsn) 4331 T, P(3), Str

ELEANOR'S GIFT (1998) (15')
Cello Solo, 2222, 2220, 3 Perc, Hp, Str. Pn Reduction with percussion, Score and Parts.

FENG (1998) (Introduction & Rondo, 10')
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn

FIDDLE SUITE (1997) (3 mvts, 16')
Chinese Huqin Solo, String Quartet/Str Orch/Full Orchestra

FISHERMAN'S SONG (1979) (4')
Violin and Piano

GE XU (ANTIPHONY) (1994) (10')
2(Picc)2(E.H.)2(Bcl)2 4230 Hp, T, P(2), Str

GOLDEN FLUTE, THE (1997) (3 mvts, 18')
Flute Solo, 2222, 4230, T P(2), Str.

GUESSING (1989) (5')
Piano Solo

HAN FIGURINES, THE (2006) (5')
Violin, Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Double Bass, Piano & Percussion.

HAPPY RAIN IN SPRING NIGHT (2004) (12')
Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano.

JI-DONG-NUO for piano solo (2005) (4')
JOY OF THE REUNION for oboe, viola, cello and double bass (2001) (4')
KC CAPRICCIO for wind ensemble & mixed choir (2000) (4')
2222(+b.cl) 3sax 34311 SATB 3P Alt version CAPRICCIO for Chorus, Organ & Percussion (2001)

KNOW YOU HOW MANY PETALS FALLING (2001) (4'
Mixed Chorus [312-41814], $1.60

LAMENT OF THE TWIN STARTS (1996) (5')
Mixed Chorus

LANDSCAPE (2003) (3')
Mixed Chorus

LINEAR, THE (1994) (12')
2(Picc)222 4331 Hp. T, P(4), Str

LOOKING AT THE SEA (2006) (4'30")
Women's Choir

MEDITATION (1999) (two songs, 6')
Mezzo-soprano and Piano

MOMENTUM 3(1998) (10')
333 4331 Hp. 4 Perc. Str

MONOLOGUE (IMPRESSIONS ON THE TRUE STORY OF AH Q ) (1993) (5')
Clarinet Solo (Bb)

NEAR DISTANCE (1988) (10')
Fl(Alto Fl), Cl(Bcl), Vn, Vc, Pf, Perc

NIGHT THOUGHTS (2004) (8')
Flute, Cello, Piano

NING (2001) (15')
Violin, Pipa, Cello.

OVERTURE (1989) (13')
Chinese Instrumental Orchestra

OVERTURE No.2 (1990) (15')
Chinese Instrumental Orchestra

PERCUSSION CONCERTO (1998) (3 mvts, 20')
Percussion Solo, 3(1Picc)33(1Bcl)3(1D.Bsn), 4331, 3 Perc., Strings Alt.version for Percussion and Piano/Percussion Group/Perc & Str Quartet

PIANO CONCERTO (1992) (16')
Piano Solo, 3(3 Picc)3(EH)3(Bcl)3(Cbsn) 4331 T, P(3), Str.

PIPA RHYME (1993) (6')
Pipa and 14 Players

POINTS, THE (1991) (9')
Pipa Solo

QI (1997) (10')
Fl, Cello, Percussion, Piano

ROMANCE AND DANCE for String Orchestra (1998) [2 mvts, 9'].
Alt.version for Violin and Piano (2001)

ROMANCE OF HSIAO AND CH'IN (1995) (4')
Two Violins and String Orchestra Alt version for Cello and Piano (2001)

SAKURA (1994) (1')
Mixed Chorus

SET OF CHINESE FOLK SONGS, A (1994) (10 songs, 17')
Unaccompanied Mixed Chorus, with optional Piano part Alt. version for Children's Chorus and Str.Orch./Quintet (25') Alternate version for Unaccompanied Male Choir (TTBB)

SHADY GROVE (2001) (4')
Mixed Chorus

SHUO (1994) (8')
String Orchestra; Alternate version for String Quintet

SI JI (FOUR SEASONS) (2005) (15')
3(+Picc)3(+EH)3(+b.Cl)3(+C.Bsn) 4331 Timp 4 Perc Hp Str

SINGING IN THE MOUNTAIN (2002) (1')
Piano Solo for children

SMALL BEIJING GONG (1993) (1')
Piano Solo for children

SONG IN WINTER (1993) (8')
Harpsichord, Di, Zheng Alternate version for Flute, Zheng, Piano, Percussion Alternate version, ORIENT AND OCCIDENT, for Soprano, Zheng & Piano

SONG OF THE GREAT WALL arr. from a song by Liu Xue-An (1999) (5')
Eight French Horns

SOUND OF THE FIVE (1998) (4 mvt, 20')
Cello Solo, String Quartet Alternate version for Perc Solo & Str Quartet

SPARKLE (1992) (11')
Fl(Picc.), Cl(Eb), Perc 2, Pf, Vn, Vc, Bass

SPRING DREAMS (1997) (5')
Mixed Chorus

SPRING FESTIVAL (1999) (5')
SPRING IN DRESDEN, Concerto for Violin Orchestra (2005) (14')
2(Picc)222, 4231, Hp, T, P(2), Violin Solo, Str

SPROUT (Budding / Meng) (1986) (7')
String Orchestra

STRING QUARTET (1982) (3 mvts, 23')
Vn(2), Va, Vc

SUITE (1991) (3 mvts, 12')
Traditional Chinese Instrumental Ensemble

SUITE FOR CELLO & CHEMBER WINDS (2004) (4 mvt, 20')
1111 1110 P, Cello (Adapted from SOUND OF THE FIVE)

SUITE FROM CHINA WEST (2007) (4 mvts, 10')
Wind Symphony

SYMPHONY No. 1 (1986) (23')
3(Picc)2(EH)3(Bcl)2 4331 T, P(4), Str

SYMPHONY No. 2 (1993) (18')
33(EH)3(Bcl)3(Cbsn) 4331 Hp, T, P(3), Str

SYMPHONY No. 3 (2004) (3 mvts. 23')
33(EH)3(Bcl)3(Cbsn) 4331 Hp, T, P(3), Str

TANG POEMS for Male Choir (1995) (4 songs, 12')
Male Choir / Mixed Choir

TANG POEMS CANTATA (1995) (4 mvts, 15')
Mixed Chorus (SATB) and Chamber Orchestra (1111 1110 Pn T, Perc. Str.)

THREE BAGATELLES FROM CHINA WEST (2006) (3 mvts, 10')
Flute and Piano, or 2 Flutes, or Guanzi and Sheng

THREE POEMS FROM THE SONG DYNASTY (1985) (3 songs, 14')
Mixed Chorus

TIBETAN TUNES (2007) (2 mvts, 10')
Violin, Cello and Piano

TIDE, THE (1988) (10')
Traditional Chinese Instrumental Ensemble

TO THE NEW MILLENNIUM (2001) (3 mvts. 10')
Mixed Chorus Soprano and Mezzo-soprano(2002)

TU (2002) (13')
TWO CHINESE FOLK SONGS for Mixed Chorus (2003) (6')
A HORSEHERD'S MOUNTAIN SONG [312-41832]
A SINGLE BAMBOO CAN EASILY BEND [312-41833]
TWO SETS OF WIND & PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS (1986) (10')
WEST LAKE, THE (2003) (5')
Mixed Chorus

WOODWIND QUINTET (1987) (9')
WU YU (2002) (2 mvts. 14')
Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Cello, Percussion Alt. version for Fl, Ob, Cl, Vln, Vla, VC and CB

Viola Concerto "XIAN SHI" (1983) (14')
Va Solo, 2(Picc)222 4320 T, P(2), Str

XIE ZI for 2 Di, Sheng, Liuqin, Zheng, Sanxian (1985) (5')
XUAN (2001) (3')
Mixed Chorus

YANGKO (2005) (5')
Violin, 2 Percussionists (Adapted from the 2nd Mvt of Chinese Folk Dance Suite)

YU DIAO (1985) (2')
Piano Solo for children

Beata Moon (b. 1969, North Dakota) is an acclaimed classical pianist and composer, raised in Indiana, making her debut at age 8 with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She trained as a pianist at the Juilliard School (Bachelor's and Master's degrees) with Adele Marcus, and self-taught as a composer. She released two CDs of chamber music on BiBimBop Records, Perigee & Apogee and Earthshine. In 2007, Naxos Records added a CD of her works for solo piano, performed by Moon herself, to their catalog of important 21st century composers. Her work has been acclaimed by Kyle Gann, Gramophone, Allmusic, and others.
She is of Korean-American descent.
She also has gained notability for performing a series of "Whodunit?" concerts at such venues as the Kennedy Center, in which the program notes are not provided until the end of the concert.

The Beata Moon Ensemble
The Beata Moon Ensemble debuted on February 22, 2002 at Columbia University's Miller Theatre with Lara St. John as the featured soloist.

Beata Moon, piano
Tara Helen O'Connor, flute
Jacqueline Leclair, oboe
Marianne Gythfeldt, clarinet
Ann Ellsworth, french horn
Laura Koepke, bassoon (adjunct instructor of music at Western Connecticut State University)

Perigee & Apogee (Jan 1, 2000)
Safari (2000) - performed by Beata Moon/David Fedele/Tom Chiu/Makoto Nakura/Thomas Kolor
Piano Fantasy (1998) - performed by Beata Moon
Moonpaths (1998) - performed by Beata Moon/Alan R. Kay/Karen Marx
Submerged (1999) - performed by Beata Moon
Antelope Vamp (1996) - performed by Beata Moon/Tom Chiu/Makoto Nakura/Thomas Kolor
Winter Sky (1996) - performed by Beata Moon/Chin Kim
In Transit (1999) - performed by Beata Moon
Mary (1996) - performed by Beata Moon/Joan La Barbara/Tom Chiu/Danny Mallon
Prelude (1996) - performed by Beata Moon
[edit] Earthshine (Nov 20, 2004)
Movement (2002)
Illusions (2000)
Nursery (1996)
Guernica (2003)
String Quartet: Homage to Béla (2000)
1,2,3 (2002)
Vignettes (2003/04)
3 Songs for My Parents (1996)
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day (2000)
Wind Quintet (2004)
[edit] Piano Works (Jun 26, 2007)
Piano Sonata (2006)
Submerged (1999)
In Transit (1999)
Guernica (2003)
Inter-Mez-Zo (2006)
Tocatta (2000)
Ode (1998)
Piano Fantasy (1998)
Nursery (1996)
The Secret (2005)
Prelude (1996)