Chen Yi

Variations on Awariguli

Chen Yi's sparklingly inventive variations are based on the Chinese folk song 'Awariguli;' the name of a beautiful girl from the Uygur ethnic minority in Xinjiang. This solo piano work was written during the composer's freshman year at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing; and premiered by her sister Chen Min in October 1979. While the theme; 9 variations; and dramatic coda are somewhat traditional in structure; they clearly employ Chen Yi's fascinating mix of Western and Chinese musical flavor. For intermediate to advanced players. Dur.: 9'