Shanghai Symphony Orchestra

Chung Chi-Yong is one of most sought-after conductors of his generation in Korea. He studied composition at College of Music, Seoul National University. At that time he conducted contemporary works by Korean composers with Ars Chamber Ensemble. He graduated from conducting class by Michael Gielen in Salzburg Mozarteum, Austria. Chung's success as a conductor was launched in 1986, when he won the International Conducting Competition of the Austrian Broadcasting Cooperation (ORF) in Vienna. After his appearance as guest conductor of Radio Symphony of Leipzig, Munich Symphony, and Michigan State Symphony, he debuted in Seoul with Korean Symphony Orchestra in 1992. In 1998 He was appointed as chief guest conductor of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and from the following year to 2001 he was music director of the orchestra.

Born in Shanghai in 1955, Xiaogang Ye is regarded as one of China’s leading contemporary composers. He has written music in a variety of genres, including symphonic and chamber works as well as scores for the stage. Ye has also composed music for films and the two works recorded here are both examples of this. Sichuan Image consists of 29 brief and atmospheric pieces composed to accompany a filmed travelogue of the scenic province in Western China. In preparation for the work, the composer visited mountains, river, villages and ancient historical sites in Sichuan. Lending further colour to the large symphony orchestra, four Chinese musicians perform on traditional instruments.