Chen Qigang Chen Qigang

Qigang Chen (Chinese: 陈其钢; pinyin: Chén Qígāng, pronounced [tʂʰə̌n t͡ɕǐkɑ́ŋ]) is a composer of Chinese origin born in 1951 in Shanghai. He has lived in France since 1984, and obtained French citizenship in 1992.

Qigang Chen was born into a family of artists, including several members who were sent to the Laogai during the Cultural Revolution. Chen was sent to an ideological reeducation camp. After the introduction of induction courses for higher education in 1977, Chen passed a series of tests which allowed him to go and study abroad. At the age of 33 he arrived in Paris where he was the final student of Olivier Messiaen until 1988.

Qigang Chen is a leading Chinese composer, who shares his working life between Beijing and Paris * works show marked influence of traditional Chinese folk music, blended into idiomatic orchestral writing in an entirely organic way * exquisite orchestral textures and dramatic gestures, best represented in the celebrated work Iris dévoilée *  particular affinity with writing for the voice; has worked with vocalists from various traditions * music for the ballet Raise the Red Lantern, directed by the auteur Zhang Yi-Mou and toured internationally by the National Ballet of China * Director of Music for Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony  * major interpreters include Yo-Yo Ma, Edo de Waart, Roger Norrington, Long Yu

Works by Qigang Chen include
Er Huang (2009) for piano and orchestra
Joie Eternelle (2014) for trumpet and orchestra
Luan Tan (2014-15) for orchestra

Looking ahead: further performances of new orchestral work Luan Tan by Shanghai Symphony Orchestra (12 Dec); the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (May 2016) and Radio France; performances of Joie Eternelle by Alison Balsom in Amsterdam (Feb 2016) and Munich (Jun 2016); plans for a second ballet