Degree

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

School of Music

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Chinese-American composer Chen Yi (b. 1953) is widely recognized for her distinctive integration of Chinese musical traditions and Western classical compositional techniques. Her music frequently incorporates elements of Chinese folk melodies, traditional musical idioms, and cultural aesthetics within a contemporary art-music framework. Despite her growing international reputation, detailed analytical studies of many of her individual works remain limited.

This study examines four selected works by Chen Yi—Chinese Ancient Dance, Meditation, Fisherman’s Song, and From Old Peking Folklore—from both analytical and performance perspectives. Through musical analysis, the study explores how Chen Yi incorporates Chinese musical elements and transforms them within modern compositional language.

Approaching these works from the perspective of a collaborative pianist, this project also considers issues of interpretation, ensemble collaboration, and performance practice. By examining these works in detail, the study aims to contribute to the growing scholarship on Chen Yi while promoting greater awareness of contemporary Chinese art music and the contributions of Chinese women composers in the broader landscape of classical music.

Date

4-10-2026

Committee Chair

Jeong-Eun Lee

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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