By LIN YING

Chen Qigang(left) composer of the music for the ballet Raise High the Red Lantern, directed by Zhang Yimou(right).

On visiting Chen Qigang's web page (www.qigangchen.fr.st) and seeing his picture, the viewer knows immediately that this is no ordinary person. Chen's essential boldness, sensitivity and warmth show clearly in his face. On reading his resume about his studies in France, and his compositions that were a departure from traditional Chinese music, this impression is endorsed. His tutor, Olivier Messiaen, a master of 20th century modern music, once remarked, "His compositions reveal true creativeness, great talent, and a perfect assimilation of European musical concepts into Chinese thought."

On his emergence into contemporary classical music, few of Chen's peers acknowledged the originality of his work. Years later, his talent, unconventionality, and refusal to be constrained by contemporary Western musical mores have won him recognition. In January 2003, the UK record company EMI/Virgin is to release Chen Qigang's CD ("The Five Elements," "Reflections on Years Past," and "Butterfly in Love with Flowers").

Chen Qigang is a poetic composer. His orchestral suite, "The Five Elements," won a top 2001 BBC World Service Masterprize music award. The work is a musical tribute to the ancient Chinese concept of the physical universe as being composed of the elements metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Chen's vitalistic musical interpretation of this simple premise brings to it a depth hitherto unexpressed. His composition is a musical lyric poem that reflects the dynamic between each of the five elements in sequence.

It took Chen one year to compose this piece, which he finished in 1999. It is ten minutes long, and writing it was a painstaking, tortuous process. Perfectionist Chen says, "When composing the music, I wanted each section to be exactly two minutes long, which meant being succinct but eloquent in my expression. This entailed strict self-discipline. Performance of this work is not limited to any orchestral conventions, genre or era; it is pure music."

His Violoncello Suite "Reflections on Years Past " is, in his own words, "A work expressing personal nostalgia." It was first played in April 1998 in Paris by Ma Yo-yo and the French State Symphony Orchestra. In its latest version, the cello is substituted for the classical Chinese erhu. It first brings to mind a cool, peaceful night, and memories of times recent and long ago that rise and fall like a rush of comets. A spark of yearning grows and pervades a heart throbbing with excitement before bursting into a corona of multi-colored beams that spread and gradually fade, leaving a bittersweet ache of remembrance.

The suite is reminiscent of the Wei, Jin and Six Dynasties (220-589) poems on life and death, and time and space. Cao Zhi wrote: "Heaven and earth have no extremes, and a man's life passes like the morning frost;" Sun Chuo reflected:

"As with time come joys, sorrows also follow;" Bao Zhao observed: "Summers and winters come and go in an endless cycle, but sorrow and joy each have an end;" and finally Cao Cao said ruefully: "Cup to cup calls for song, man's life -- how long? A morning's dew? Alas, many a day is done."

This sadness that is a longing for prolonged life is moving for its universality. Contemporary writer Qian Zhongshu once said, "On discovering the subtlety of a poem, I am moved to tears." Anyone listening to "Reflections on Years Past " -- this distilled musical poem that reflects the life experience of the composer, is similarly affected.

"Butterfly in Love with Flowers" is, as the name suggests, about love. It is a concerto for a large symphony orchestra, a choir of six, and a solo by a traditional Chinese instrument. The piece is striking for its combination of Western and Eastern styles. Famous music conductor Tang Muhai, who conducted the newly composed concerto on February 6, 2002 at the French Radio Modern Music Festival, said, "This 40 minute-long piece of work was performed by the French State Symphony Orchestra and a choir of six Chinese women. It is in nine parts, and describes nine feminine characteristics. At the end of the performance, the audience cheered as one."

It is acknowledged that love is the powerful emotive force within artistic creation. Chen Qigang's work celebrates his love of women, and concern for their destiny. His music praises feminine purity and beauty, and agonizes over its fragility. He thus portrays women and the full scope of their emotions, vulnerability, and temperament.

"Butterfly in Love with Flowers" has nine movements. They are: 1. Purity 2. Demureness 3. Licentiousness 4. Sensitivity 5. Tenderness 6. Jealousy 7. Sentimentality 8. Hysteria and 9. Passion. On aurally meeting these nine faces of woman, listeners of both gender empathize, to the extent that women see aspects of themselves in the music. Chen Qigang's lyrics are in traditional Chinese dramatic style, sung in cadences and modulations that are uplifting and evocative. Those listening to this music who are unversed in the Chinese culture and language nonetheless appreciate Oriental women in all their charm and vital sensuality. At the work's climax, all aspects of woman converge into one musical life stream. Countless styles of music express the joys and woes of love, and Chen Qigang's work is all the more of an achievement for its proof that something new can emerge from an eternal theme.

Perhaps because I have listened to it so many times, this music lingers in my mind, and tugs at my heartstrings. Wherever I am, in city or forest, it is always with me.

LIN YING is a doctor of Oriental Studies, now residing in Belgium.

Background to Composer Chen Qigang Chen Qigang was born into an artistic Shanghai family and was schooled in music early in his childhood. In 1973 he graduated from the middle school attached to the Central Conservatory of Music, majoring in the clarinet. In 1983 he graduated from the Composition Department of the Central Conservatory of Music, where his tutor was Luo Zhongrong. In 1984, he went to France, and was accepted as a student by Olivier Messiaen, 20th-century master of music, who instantly recognized his talent. Chen Qigang is one of the few Chinese composers at large in the world musical arena. In the past decade he has won several international prizes. In 1998, he was chairman of the judging panel at the International Besancon Composition Contest. In 1999, he was a Paris Music City advisor. In 2000, the Messiaen International Piano Contest set up a separate award for the playing of Chen Qigang's works. With his help, the preliminary stage of the Besancon International Young Conductors Contest was held in Beijing, rather than Japan. He also cooperated with Zhang Yimou and the Central Ballet Troupe in creating the ballet version of "Raise High the Red Lantern." In recent years, Chen Qigang has shown greater interest in traditional Chinese music.