Gong-Qian Yang and His Music “Music should spark our passion, awaken our hope, refresh our feelings, and enlighten our heart…” by Gong-Qian Yang Mr. Gong-Qian Yang, the only Chinese American Composer whose “Nature and Me ” symphonic poem has been world premiered by China National Symphony Orchestra on their 2006 American Tour under the baton of Maestro Neal Gittleman, a highly regarded American conductor and subsequently broadcasted on CCTV (China Central Television)numerous times soon after. This symphonic poem is one of the compositions on his album titled “Sonic Poem” which has also been released on major digital music downloads such as Apple Itunes, Sony Connect, Napster, AOL MusicNow, V-Cast, etc. The world premiere “Nature and Me” indeed has reached and deeply touched human’s heart with long time applause and standing ovation. Publicities and concert reviews are available on Yang’s website at www.musicforyougqy.com Yang believes: “Music should spark our passion, awaken our hope, refresh our feelings, and enlighten our heart…” As an accomplished Chinese-American composer, soloist, and concert violinist, Gong-Qian Yang has received unanimous acclaimed from audiences, colleagues, and critics for his superb artistry as well as his outstanding musical talents. In the Symphonic Poem Nature and Me, Yang has shared his feeling of harmony and intimacy with nature and all of the creatures in the grand universe through the dialogues between solo flute, French horn, harp, and strings. The unfolding music is the process of constant development and resolution, like unfolding, real life. The whole piece radiates infinite life energy that glorifies the beauty of the great universe, and, of course, the beauty of humans living within. In his "Nature and Me" Symphonic Poem, as an important part of orchestral sonority for richer and more flexible music expression, Yang added a vocal part. Twice a first-prize winner of the Starling International Scholarship Foundation U.S., Yang has been winning standing ovations in his solo concerts, including a solo showcase at the Aspen Summer Music Festival and with the Long Beach Civic Symphony Orchestra in California, the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s 125th Anniversary Gala Concert, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. He performs a wide range of solo repertoire, such as concertos by Paganini, Sibelius, and Saint-Saens,etc. While enjoying a successful career as soloist and concert artist, Yang has always kept a keen interest in music composition. He has studied a wide range of repertoire and a huge diversity of music. He has been working diligently on the combination of the very best from eastern and western music. Yang’s music is now reaching broad and far and touching people’s heart in both U.S. and internationally. In his opinion, it is best to let music emotion flow and unfold freely without excess structural restraint. He believes that “…any type of music, such as pop, classical, jazz, vocal, rock, country, orchestral, old or new... you name it, it’s all good as long as it treats human ears, hearts, and feelings in a respectful way.” Therefore, he doesn’t limit himself as an artist of any one type of music style. He believes that “Life is like an ongoing music composition. Everyone is a composer of his or her own masterpiece. In other words, music is part of life, and life is reflected in music. I hope we can all share some happy moments together through music. Yang’s composition talents started to be recognized back in the mid 80’s when he was offered a position as first violinist by China National Symphony Orchestra (formally Central Philharmonic Society of China) right after his honor graduate from Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. As a sensible composer, producer and publisher, Yang has often been inspired by the harmony between all the creatures in the universe. A lot of his music idea came to him when he was driving on his music tour. He hummed along when he was driving to Nashville Tennessee, and his heart was singing when he was driving in the Appalachian Mountains… Yang says he enjoys being close to the nature whether it is sunny or rainy; he feels the energy and harmony come from everywhere… Yang's music was featured on The 2007 Moon Festival in Chicago on Suncastv (a Chicago TV Station); subsequently, as the title music for Suncastv Programs in early 2008 and later as music composer for its documentary films. Original music "Grand Love", "The Kiss of Sun and Water", and "Let's Hand to Hand" by Gong-Qian Yang with film "Tiffani Kim Griffith's Portrait" was featured at the 26th Annual Asian American Coalition of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration, Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Grand Ball Room 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, Illinois 60018 Saturday, January 24, 2009 2009 Presenting Sponsor "Dynamic Korea", The Korea Tourism Organization and American Family Insurance Concerts include: "Chicago Journalists Association's 68th Annual Awards September 28, 2007" Yang was the featured composer at Chicago Journalists Association's 68th Annual Awards in downtown Chicago Holiday Inn Mart Plaza on September 28, 2007 from 6:30-8:00pm. His music was well received by the audience. "US China Forum Chicago" Yang's album Sonic Poem was specially featured music for "US China Forum Chicago" from June 8-10, 2007 at Chicago downtown Hilton Tower & Plaza; the music has been highly acclaimed and warmly recieved. "Middfest International" Electronic New Age music combined with Chinese traditional instruments and live performers. CHINESE MUSIC & OPERA CENTER Gong -Qian Yang, composer and musician, will discuss Chinese Music and instruments Saturday, Sept. 30, & Sunday, Oct. 1. Min Xiao Fen, soloist and composer, will feature music by Gong Qian Yang. Performance is on Sunday, October 1, at 2:00 P.M. and also 6:00 P.M. finale. http://www.middfestinternational.org/perform.htm