| The purpose of this study is to show composer Chen Yi (b.1953)'s musical synthesis of East and West. Examples and analysis are made from the following selected pieces: Fiddle Suite, The Points, Ancient Dances, Ning, Song in Winter, Chinese Fables and Ancient Beauty, which all contain Chinese instruments. Technical issues of combining Chinese and Western instruments are discussed, as well as Chinese philosophy and the arts that inspire the pieces. In addition, examples are made to show the influences of Chinese traditional music in Chen's music, as well as the absorption of Western twentieth century compositional techniques as more systematic methods to support her compositions. |
