Jin Yin, Civitas Ensemble (CD)

“There is much to appreciate in the melding of the exemplary lucidity of the Civitas Ensemble and the dynamic Chinese-modern brilliance of the five composers involved.” — Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review

“As always, Chicago’s Civitas Ensemble takes us into unfamiliar sonic realms . . . A tour de force of contemporary Chinese music.” — Chicago Tribune

Civitas Ensemble presents a spectrum of new instrumental works by living Chinese composers, each with a unique perspective on Western and Far Eastern musical sensibilities. Spearheaded by Shanghai-born violinist Yuan-Qing Yu, Civitas founding member and assistant concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jin Yin comprises of world-premiere recordings of works by Yao Chen, Vivian Fung and Lu Pei, plus new arrangements of pieces by Zhou Long and Chen Yi.

Long Five Elements
Emma Gerstein flute, piccolo
Yihan Chen pipa
Cynthia Yeh percussion
February–March 2018, Anne and Howard Gottlieb Hall, Chicago

Yi Night Thoughts
August 2019, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Chicago

Pei Scenes Through Window
Emma Gerstein flute, piccolo
August 2019, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Chicago

Fung Birdsong
August 2019, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, University of Chicago, Chicago

Chen Emanations of Tara
Yihan Chen pipa
February–March 2018, Anne and Howard Gottlieb Hall, Chicago

Discs: 1
Record Label: Cedille Records
Release Date: January 17, 2020