The Yellow River Piano Concerto - The Butterfly Lovers Piano Concerto Chen Jie

• 1 I. Prelude: The Song of the Yellow River Boatmen 03:39
• 2 II. Ode to the Yellow River 04:11
• 3 III. The Yellow River in Wrath 07:06
• 4 IV. Defend the Yellow River 06:58
• 5 The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto 27:06
• Total Runtime 49:00

Info for The Yellow River Piano Concerto - The Butterfly Lovers Piano Concerto

The Yellow River Concerto is one of the most popular of all Chinese works, a richly melodic exploration of scenic variety, and a forceful expression of patriotic pride. Written in 1958 by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto has achieved world renown for its moving and beautiful synthesis of Western and Eastern traditions. In 1985 Chen Gang made an arrangement for piano and orchestra, played on this recording in the edition by the brilliant international soloist Chen Jie.

„When it comes to...The Yellow River, Ms Chen need fear comparison with no-one. This is a superlative account in which she displays huge verve and dynamism, as well as some affecting sensitivity when it is - admittedly not too often - required. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra match the quality of the soloist’s playing and Carolyn Kuan...also does a sterling job.” (MusicWeb International)

Chen Jie, piano
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Carolyn Kuan, conductor

Recorded at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand. 14-16 September, 2011
Produced and engineered by Tim Handley

Chen Jie
made her orchestral debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra under Maestro Wolfgang Sawallisch at age 16; performed solo recitals in Lincoln Center, Carnegie hall & the Kennedy Center at age 18; carried off more than 10 top prizes of international piano competitions by the age of 21, including the Arthur Rubinstein Piano Master Competition in Israel, the Santander International Competition in Spain, Van Cliburn International Competition in U.S.A, etc.; She released the highly praised album (Chinese Favorite) under NAXOS label at age 20; Her composition debut, which was also Chinese Themed, the “Butterfly Lover Piano Concerto”, was premiered this past May in Beijing’s National Center for the Performing Arts, with Ms. Chen herself as the piano soloist.

A frequent soloist with major orchestras and conductors, Ms. Chen has collaborated with the Israel Philharmonic, Warsaw Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica de Madrid, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra, etc; worked with Maestro Neemi Jarvi, Osmo Vanska, Peter Csaba, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, John Neschling, Enrique Batiz, Long Yu, Zuo-Huang Chen, Tan Dun, etc. Ms. Chen also has performed for numerous international dignitaries including the former Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon, Princess of Spain, Prince of Luxembourg, Princess Kent of England, President Hu Jin-Tao of China, etc.

Ms. Chen has given critically acclaimed solo recitals in the leading concert venues across the globe, such as the Herkulessaal in Munich, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Ravinia Music Festival in Chicago, the Gilmore Music Festival in Kalamazoo, the Forbidden City Music Hall in Beijing, the Esplanade in Singapore, the Tokyo Opera House, the National Concert Hall in Taipei, etc.

Chosen by the KDFC Classical Music Station of America as one of the world’s “2008 Top 30 under 30”, together with Lang Lang and Yundi Li as the only three Chinese Musician chosen, 25 years old Ms. Jie Chen is no doubt one of the most exciting young artists in today’s classical music scene. Recently named “Face for Classical Music 2010” by (Vogue Magazine), Her masterful technique and graceful stage presence have been favored by many international luxury brands such as Breguet, The King Fook Jewellery, Blanc de Chine, Sisley, etc.

Ms. Chen studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and received a full scholarship from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia when she was 12. She graduated in 2006 and was awarded the prestigious 'Fastorazzi Prize for Best Pianist of the Year'. She received her master degree from the Mannes College of Music in New York. Ms. Chen is a Yamaha Artist.

Booklet for The Yellow River Piano Concerto - The Butterfly Lovers Piano Concerto