SKU: PR.312418590

UPC: 680160595785. 8.5 x 11 inches. Text by Chen Yi.

Often called the Ellis Island of the West, Angel Island in San Francisco was used as an immigration station in the first half of the 20th century, processing some one million Asian immigrants. Because of U.S. policy of the time, many spent years on Angel Island awaiting entry. Recently named a National Historical Landmark, Angel Island and its history is the inspiration behind Chen Yi's Angel Island Passages, commissioned by the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Chen explores the experiences of the immigrants, even using poems carved in the walls, to express the mood, the patient yearning, and the ultimate release and embrace of a new country. Angel Island Passages was premiered June 4-5, 2010 by the SFGC and the Cypress String Quartet at the San Francisco Conservatory. For advanced performers. Duration: 15'.
Commissioned by San Francisco Girls Chorus (Executive Director Melanie Smith), and premiered by the SFGC and Cypress String Quartet on June 4, 2010, conducted by SFGC’s Artistic Director Susan McMane, at San Francisco Conservatory, CA, the 3-movement song cycle Angel Island Passages is written for children’s chorus and string quartet, with multimedia projection on the walls of the concert hall, produced by visual artist Felicia Lowe.  The creative idea of this work was initiated by Dr. McMane, who invited me to write the music, and sent me the book “Island, poetry and history of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island, 1910-1940”, by Him Mark Lai, Genny Lim, and Judy Yung for reference in 2009; also inspired by the Angel Island stories, and through cooperation with Felicia, who shared with me her film “Carved in Silence” and video productions “Chinatown” and “Road to Restoration”.I named the first movement of my work as “1882”, which reflected the dark mood under the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.  The collective poems carved on the wooden walls in Angel Island expressed deep emotion in sorrow and anxiety.  The music in the second movement “Longing” is sad and sentimental.  The third movement is called “We Are America”, which is ever-moving, energetic and optimistic.  The text sung in the beginning in Chinese means “I am an American”.  It’s sung in Cantonese dialect, then in Mandarin.  As the music develops, from homophonic to polyphonic with increasing layers, the climax is reached when the text is turned to English “We Are America”, which symbolizes the flourishing society with the great contribution from thousands of immigrants during the years.  The music fades out towards the ending of the work, which pushes the scene to a remote picture, to look forward to the future peace of the world.I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with such inspiring creative artists in this project, and hope the work is meaningful to our new society after the premiere performance.—Chen Yi.

SKU: HL.4008968

UPC: 196288282174.

“Ri sing into a New Era” was commissioned by the city of Landeck in 2023 to commemorate its 100th anniversary since being declared a city. The composition serves as the introductory part of a trilogy, encapsulating the years from 1923 to 1956, depicting Landeck's transformation from a market town to a city. The outset of the piece is characterized by a reserved and hushed atmosphere, reflecting the initial uncertainty during a period of economic challenges. The optimistic anticipation of a new beginning is only echoed by the sound of the city's new bells. The central motif, threading throughout the entire composition, is derived from the name of the city: LAnDECk (A-D-E-C). This motif unfolds at the onset within the resonance of the city's bells, gradually evolving into the main theme through the gentle tones of the clarinets. Following the initial years of the burgeoning city, where a positive societal shift and newfound security are symbolized by a second musical theme, the sudden eruption of the Second World War disrupts this progress. A mournful melody, borrowed from the cheerful second theme of the piece, speaks of sorrow, nostalgia, yet also solace and hope for peace and freedom. A “Vivace furioso” captures the uncertainties and intense turbulence of the war. These tumultuous emotions gradually settle, culminating after a delicate oboe and saxophone solo into the now powerful main theme presented in the form of a majestic chorale. A “Vivace con bravura” brings the composition to a radiant conclusion, signifying a strengthened future for the city of Landeck.