Scope of the composition by Yuan-Chen Li
Yuan-Chen Li’s compositions are for orchestra (Western and Chinese), concerto, chamber ensemble, duet, solo, as well as multimedia work, featuring virtuosic musicians or Chinese instruments. Portion of the compositions are site-sensitive, or choreographed specific.  Portion of the compositions have been edited with great care and quality with Li’s editor-conductor collaborator Cliff Colnot, and are digitally cataloged by Alexander Street Press. The list of work and performance history is also available by downloading the List of Yuan-Chen Li’s Composition.

How to preview the music?
1. Scroll down this web page and click links to learn more about the individual work.
2. Digital preview of score at Li’s issuu site.
3. Digital preview and download at the online/database distributor publishing company Alexander Street Press – Classical Scores Library Series – volume II, if the access is granted.  Some scores are undergoing revision for the editorial purpose and may be available in the future.

How to acquire the score?
Most of Li’s scores are self-published, and handled directly by the composer and are delivered electronically. Acquiring score can be made by contacting the composer at the contact page or email composerycli@gmail.com for your inquiry of the score at no charge. Thank you!

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† Scores edited by Cliff Colnot.
¶ Scores currently unavailable or editing in progress.

OPERA

Portent | 天中殺 (2023) 90′, A Chamber Opera In One Act, for narrator, 6 vocalists, 2 actors, and ensemble of 16 Classical and Jazz musicians. Playwright by HUNG HUNG based on HUANG Lin-zhi’s novel Ten-chu-satsu (Portent). Mandarin (Chinese), Taiwanese (Hokkien Chinese), and Japanese.
1.1.2.1-1.0.0.0-2perc-hp-pno-2.1.1.1. Program info and video clips in EN and 中文.

ORCHESTRA

Digitally Made Possible | 數位化可能 (2023) 4,’  for orchestra
3 (picc 1 2). 2 (2/EHrn). 3 (1 2 b.cl).0. – 1.4.1.0. – hp. pno. – strgs. Watch the premiere.

Resounding The Singing Voice of Mt Ali | 思想 —— 阿里山的歌聲 (2022) 15’15”,
for orchestra: 3 (picc 1 2). 2 (2/EHrn). 3 (1 2 b.cl).0. – 4.1.1.0. – T.3. – hp. pno. – strgs.

Tao of Meinong | 美濃之道 (2019) 15′, for orchestra.
3(3/picc).2.2. – 4.2.2.1. – 2 perc. – strgs. Watch documentary and Order recording.

West Coasts | 西岸 (2017) 12′, for orchestra Listen
3.3(3/E.Hrn)off stage.4(3/b.cl).3(3.cbn) – 4.3.2.1. – T.2. – hp. – strgs.

Iluwan | 咿嚕唵 (2016) ca.8-9′, for orchestra† Listen
3 (1 2, alto) 2 (1, EH) 2 (2/bcl), 2 (2/cb) – 2.2.2.0. – T.2. – hp. – strgs.

On Aldebaran | 畢宿五 (2014) ca.8′, for orchestra†
2.2.2.2. – 2.2.0.0. – 2 perc. – hp. pno. – strgs. Score preview. Publicity Press (2015).

Intermezzo: SHANG |  間奏曲：商 (2011) ca. 18′, For Symphonic Orchestra†
2(1,2/pic).2.2(1,2/bcl).2(1,2/cb). – 2.2.2. – T.2P. – hp. – strgs. Full description.

Like A Dream, An Illusion | 如夢如幻 (2007) 12’30”, For Orchestra¶
3(1,2,3/pic).3.3.3. – 4.3.3.1. – 4P – hp.cel.orgl. – strgs (65443 by stands), balcony: fl.hp.vln. Discography.

Awakening | 春日醉起言志 (2003) 14’30”, For Orchestra¶
4(1,2,3,pic).3(1,2,eh.).3(1,2,bcl).3(1,2,cb). – 4.3.3.1. – 4P. – 2hp. – strgs (87554 by stands). Press (2003), Press (2009).

CHINESE ORCHESTRA

Neo (barbaric) Baroque Suite | 新(野蠻)巴洛克組曲 (2021) 15′, for Chinese orchestra. details in Chinese via the link in 中文 and recording for purchase here.

Return to the Ritornello | 旋想起 (2021) 15’37”, for Chinese orchestra.

CONCERTO

Wandering Viewpoint | 漂 點 (2015) ca.15′, for solo cello and two chamber ensembles†
2 flutes (fl/pic, fl/al), 2 clarinets (cl, cl/bs cl), 2 vln, 2 vla, 2 vc, 1 pno, 1 perc.(mostly mallet percussion), and solo vc. Press review and full description.

Hovering in the Air  | 飛天 (2011) 15′, Concerto for guzheng and 28 strings.†
guzheng and string orchestra of 28 players (44321 by stands) Score preview. Program note.

CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

After the Spring Rain, to the Sea | 新春花東雨夜終歸海 (2023) 10′, for fl, tenor Ruan, piano, viola, and cello.

Musing in the Garden | 遊園樂 (2023) 8’13”, for piano trio: cl, vc, and pno. Listen to the midi sample here.

3i | 三我 (2020) 12′, for mixed trio: vocal/erhu, vocal/Janggu/Perc., vocal/shinobue/taiko.

Tao of Meinong | 美濃之道 (2019) 15′, for 15-musician ensemble. Watch documentary and Order recording: fl/picc, ob, cl/b.cl., tpt, hrn, perc., pno, 4 vln, 2 vla, 2 vc.

Tao of Meinong | 美濃之道 (2019) 15′, for clarinet quintet. Watch documentary and Order recording: cl in A, 2 vln, 1 vla, 1 vc.

Reminiscence II | 離歌之二 (2019) 7′, for mixed ensemble: flute (alto, C), Dizi, guitar, Ruan, percussion, 2 Erhus, and cello. Watch the premiere performance.

Indispensable Dislocation | 無可或缺的錯置 (2018) 12′, for flute./b.fl., b.cl, tmb, perc. pno, vln, vc.

Light, Shadow, and Objects | 光、物、影的二十個極短篇 (2018) 12’20”, for Xiao, Guzheng, and Zhongran

Rain Noir Noir | 雨黑黑 (2017) 15’30”, for flute, cello, and harp. Listen, Preview, and Purchase.

Fauna Republic | 神獸共和國 (2013) 7’30”, for mixed ensemble†
flute/piccolo, clarinet and bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, french horn, and four percussionists†. Preview score. Audio.

Aldebaran | 畢宿五 (2013) 6’30”, for sextet eighth blackbird†
flute/piccolo, Bb clarinet/bass clarinet, violin, cello, piano and percussion† Press review. Audio.  

Ice Crackle Glaze | 晶冰裂 (2011) 8′, for mixed ensemble†
fl, vln, hp, vib, and pno. Preview score. Program note.

Motion 2010 | 花火 (2010) 11’30”, for string quartet

Butterfly | 蝴蝶 (2007, 2012 ed.) 8′, for piano quintet†
fl, ob, cl, bsn, and pno. Listen, Preview, and Purchase.

Adagio for Promenade | 漫板 (2005) 10’30”, For mixed ensemble with spatialization
fl, hp, organ, and vln.

Intermezzo: Tsan | 間奏曲：參 (2005) 13′, For mixed ensemble¶
fl, ob, cl, vib, hp, pf, cel, vn, vla, kb and guqin (Chinese 7-string zither). Review.

Nicknamed Romanza | 別名浪漫 (2001, 2012 ed.) 15’ca., Theme and variations for string quartet† Buy. 

Zang (aka, The Funeral) | 葬 (2000, 2012 ed.) 17′, For mixed ensemble†
ob, pipa, perc, and cb. Preview score.

DUET

Shore, Island, and Chelonia | 海歸 (2018) 12’30” for clarinet, piano, and more (see multimedia)

Harmony | 合歌 (2014) 3’30”
pipe organ and violin. Music for wedding. Order the score.

Obsidian | 黑曜石 (2012) 8′, for cello and piano duet†

Cats’ Romp | 貓兒嬉 (2008) 9’30”
guzheng and piano, choreographed specific. Preview the score.

Reminiscence | 離歌 (2006; 2012 ed.) 10’30”†
double bass and piano† Preview the score, Performance, Order the score.

The Morning Bell and the Evening Drum | 晨鐘暮鼓 (2006) 17′
percussion duet, choreographed specific.

SOLO

SynSymSing  (2020) 8′, for cello. Premiere performance.

Tell | 告 (2018) 8′, for alto saxophone, preview and order from SheetMusicPlus. Buy recording.

In Response To | 回 (2017) 4′, a fugue with fragments of Taiwanese folksong as the counter subject, in response to Chopin’s E minor Prelude, for piano solo. Watch Vera Hsu’s performance.

Shadows of Lonely Phoenix | 舞影孤鸞 (2016) 10′, music and movement for solo clarinetist. Watch.

Tian Jin Sha (aka. Shivering Winds, Serene Sky) | 天淨沙 (2014)  6′, for solo cellist accompanying his or her own voice†, review and order recording.

Youth Yet Young | 樂未央 (2012)  5′, for solo piano. Watch Taiwan premiere performance.

Spell | 凌 (aka, Ling, 2009, ed. 2011) 6’30”, a) for solo saxophone†, b) clarinet†, c) bass flute†, full description, and buy.

Migoh | 米歌 (2007) 4’30”, for solo piano, audio, order recording

Cat’s Romp | 貓嬉 (2003) 6′, for solo guzheng, performance, score, order recording,

Hy | 三點水 (2003) 10′, for solo piano, audio, order recording

The Source (Yuan) | 源 (2001) 8′, for solo viola†, preview, listen, and buy.

VOCAL

Mist, Three Poems by Carl Sandburg | 三首桑德堡的詩 (2016) 10′, for mezzo soprano, and piano. Language: English.†

Three Poeme by Rabindranath Tagore | 三首泰戈爾的詩 (2007) 12′, for soprano, flute, piano, and cello. Language: English.¶

Three Poems by Shyi Mu-Rong | 三首席慕蓉的詩 (2000) 10′, for soprano and piano. Language: Chinese (Mandarin).

ARRANGEMENT

Bang Chhun-hong  | 望春風(2021) 3’50”, alto sax & pno.
Based on a Taiwanese pop song from 30’s, the piano accompaniment was notated in figure bass and improvised, played by Yuan-Chen Li with saxophonist Chun-Hao Ku. Watch the video.

Moon Night Blue | 月夜愁 (2018) 5′, via & pno
The arrangement is inspired by Debussy’s Clair De Lune to inform the Taiwanese lyrics.

Triple is Your Rhythm | 三拍恰恰恰 (2018) 3’30”, three variations of birthday songs:
fl, bsn, hrn, tmb, glockenspiel and percussion, 2 pno, 2 vln., vla, vc.

“Where Do We Go?” | “我們何去何從” (2017-18), six songs collaborated with folk musician Stephen Cohen for his album “Where Do We Go?”

“Let’s Go Walking” | “我們來走吧” (2017-18), song suite collaborated with folk musician Stephen Cohen for his concert. Click to view the Live Performance.

Bright College Year | 耶魯校歌  (2017) 4’30”, string octet

Folksong – Homage to Formosa | 民歌 – 向福爾摩沙致敬 (2010), 30′, for mezzo and mixed ensemble
fl, cl, 2p, hp, mezzo, vla, and vc. (same instrumentation as Berio’s Folk Songs)¶

Hakka Folksong Cycle | 客家舊歌新聲集 (2006), 42′, for folk singer and Chinese orchestra.¶

Les Miserables (1998) 16′ ca., for female chorus and chamber orchestra¶

Multimedia

Shore, Island, and Chelonia | 海歸 (2018) 12’20”, for clarinet, piano, and tape with video and installation. Watch the premiere performance.

FIXED MEDIA

Sonic Sedimentation, A sound walk in Tanner Springs Park (2020) 13′, for digital instruments and city noise. Commissioned by Third Angle New Music. Click here to listen.

Music Design & Site Specific Works

Railways To The Dreamland | 夢土的鐵道 (2023), 13’55”
An educational film on Chinese workers who built the first US transcontinental railroad, project lead by Min Kuang, Music Fusion NW. Watch the video.

The Land We Farmed | 我們的耕地 (2023), 11’11”
An educational film on stories of Asian American Farmers in the Pacific Northwest. Project lead by Min Kuang, Music Fusion NW. Watch the video.

The Man with the Compound Eyes | 複眼人 (2021), live ensemble and pre-recorded orchestral excerpts for 150-minute long stage play, directed by German-French director Lukas Hemleb. Watch the trailer.