Yuan-Chen Li’s compositions for solo, chamber, and orchestra have been included in annual collection – Taiwan Composers’ Series consecutively in 2012, 2013, and 2014 by Taiwan Composers Association / Asian Composers League – Taiwan, as well as commercially released by label records.  

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New (barbaric) Baroque – Thinking of Sinkang Of 1636 | 新 (野蠻) 巴洛克采風 －遙想新港1636年 (2021)
Performer: National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan (aka. NCO) 

For Chinese orchestra. A commission by National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan (aka. NCO), the new work is about the imaginary events honoring the so-called Pax Hollandica during the Dutch East India Company occupation in Taiwan. Tracks/movements are as followed:
  I. 序奏 (overture)Valiant and vigorous
 II. 魯爾曲 (Louré) Approaching the platform
III. 進行曲 (March): 行進至東印度公司 Advancing to the East India Company
IV. 嘉禾舞曲 (Gavotte): 交接給行為良好的人 Heading over to good actors
V. 加那利舞曲 (Canaries) Baroque dance
VI. 帕薩加利亞舞曲 (Passacaglia) Linked with ghosts

The new barbaric work has been recorded, conducted by Paul Chin-Po Chiang. The CD is newly released! For more details in Chinese via the link in 中文 and for purchase here 購買.

#臺灣國樂團 #巴洛克 #中樂團 #江靖波 #李元貞 #國立傳統藝術中心

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Tell | 吿 (2018)
For Alto Saxophone Solo
Performer: Jessica Maxfield (潔西卡．麥卡斯費爾得)

Commissioned by American saxophonist Jessica Maxfield, Tell (吿) was premiered in the National American Saxophone Alliance and was highly praised during its European International Conference in Croatia in Summer 2018. Continuing Li’s signature lyricism, new techniques such as “slap-tongue kiss,” “muffled sprechstimme,” and “intoned coda” are broadening saxophone performance practice. The production team of recording includes GRAMMY awarded producer Brad Michael at Futura Productions by PARMA’s label navona. Included in the latest compilation “Figments Vol.2” with 5 more contemporary composers, the recording of Li’s Tell is also generously sponsored by National Culture and Arts Foundation.

More about Tell in Figments!
Order it at: Amazon | More

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Rain Noir Noir | 雨黑黑 (2018)
For Harp Trio
Performers: Liya Huang/Harp (黃立雅), I-Jeng Yeh/Flute (葉怡礽), and Kyu-Ri Jim/Cello (金窺利)

Commissioned by harpist Liya Huang, Rain Noir Noir shows Li’s exploration of musical language to minimalism and improvisation, stretching the fragments of the folk tune “Tien Hey Hey” (Cloudy Day) to a multi-moment set of trio. The atmospheric, humorous, and tender side of Li’s musicianship is very well spoken by the musicians, handpicked by Liya from the China National Center for the Performing Arts Orchestra which she herself serves as the principal harpist.

Official page at: Feeling Good Music | 好有感覺音樂

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“Where Do We Go?” | 我們何去何從 (2018)
Yuan-Chen Li as collaborative pianist, arranger, and harmonist, with Stephen Cohen (3 Hand Stephen), Maeve Stier (voice), and Alberto Novello (electronic). 

Li makes six appearances in the vinyl record album, collaborating with Portland-owned “Psych-folk” musician Stephen Cohen, where she provides sonorous and mesmerizing accompaniment on the piano and guqin.

Order it at: cdbaby | 3handstephen

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Spell (aka, Ling)| 凌 (2009)
For Solo Alto Saxophone
Performer: Chun-Hao Ku

The inspiration of Spell is by one of the Taiwan Taoist rituals – Chi Ji (起乩): it refers to a ritualistic process conducted by the Taoist priest who transforms himself from an ordinary person to the one full of the spirit of divinity, and then delivers messages to the prayers. Spell is included in the saxophone repertoire “Londeix Guide To The Saxophone Repertoire, 1844-2012” edited by Jean-Marie Londeix (2012, Bordeaux, France). In 2016, Spell is added to the repertory for the First Asian Saxophone Congress.

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Like A Dream, An Illusion | 如夢如幻 (2007)
For Orchestra
Performers: Yale Philharmonic Orchestra, Julian Pellicano / conductor

This gorgeous work reflects on Li’s thoughts about the life and world through the Buddhist’ perspective. Composed particularly for the acoustic and site of the Yale University Woolsey Hall, Like A Dream, An Illusion was premiered with a full force of orchestra, 12,617 pipes organ, and three soloists on the balcony. And, it was like a dream.

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Tian Jin Sha (aka. Shivering Winds, Serene Sky) | 天淨沙 (2014)
For solo cellist accompanying his or her own voice
Performer: Kate Dillingham / Cello

The New York Public Radio Q2 writes:
One stand-out track on the album is Yuan-Chen Li’s Tiang Jing Sha (Shivering Winds, Serene Sky), in which Dillingham performs a virtuosic and colorful cello line as accompaniment to her own singing. Her airy and melodious voice achieves a ghostly, eerie effect that pairs beautifully with Li’s timbral shifts…[click here to read the full critique]

Order it at: Amazon

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Intermezzo: SHANG | 間奏曲：商 (2011)
For Orchestra
Performers: National Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Milton / Conductor

Awarded to the “Best Art Music Album” Golden Melody Award of the year in Taiwan (2014), the premiere live recording of Li’s most advanturous work for orchestra  Intermezzo: SHANG is released and available overseas! Conducted by Nicholas Milton, performed by National Symphony Orchestra (Taiwan).  

Order it at: iTune | Amazon | 金革唱片

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Hy-, and Migoh | 三點水, 米歌 (2003), (2007)
For Solo Piano
Performer: Chih-Long Hu (胡志龍) / Piano

Chig-Long Hu’s Formosa Caprices includes piano character pieces by five Taiwanese composers, including himself.  Li’s early work Hy- is a four-movement work with the theme around water.  In 2007, she responded to Hu’s call for this album and composed Migoh based on a singing practice in the chorus “pasibutbut” (小米豐收歌) by the Taiwanese aboriginal tribes Bunon (布農族)。
This album was nominated “Best Crossover Album” and Hu as “Best Performer” for the 2009 Golden Melody Award.

Commercially released and available at Amazon.  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cat’s Romp | 貓嬉 (2003) 
For Solo Guzheng 
Performer: Wen-Ting Hsu (許雯婷) / Guzheng

Commissioned by Yi-Chieh Lai, Cat’s Romp was written for Guzheng (21 strings) of special tuning.  The music is characterized by hectic gestures and impromptu-like narrative.  Cat’s Romp was also later included in Guzheng contemporary repertory, shared by Taiwanese and Chinese music circle.

This album was awarded the Golden Melody Ward “Best Producer” to Bor-Nien Hsu in 2007.

Order it at: MusForum (in Chinese)

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