Qigang Chen - Iris dévoilée; L'Éloignement (Xian Zhang)

Information

Composer: Qigang Chen

• Iris dévoilée
• L'Éloignement

Seattle Symphony

Xian Zhang, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Seattle Symphony Media

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Released on August 21, 2026, by Seattle Symphony Media, this live concert album marks the orchestra’s inaugural recording with Music Director Xian Zhang, captured at Benaroya Hall by audio producer Dmitriy Lipay. The album highlights two celebrated works by Chinese-French composer Qigang Chen: Iris Dévoilée (Iris Unveiled) and L’Éloignement. Combining Peking opera traditions with contemporary orchestral writing, Iris Dévoilée features sopranos Meng Meng, Mei Gui Zhang, and Tess Altiveros alongside traditional Chinese instruments. Coupled with Chen's poignant piece for string orchestra, the release showcases Zhang’s commitment to culturally diverse programming and the Seattle Symphony’s refined, audiophile-quality artistry.

Born in 1951, acclaimed Chinese-French composer Qigang Chen endured ideological reeducation during the Cultural Revolution before topping national competitions and pursuing graduate studies in France. As Olivier Messiaen’s last student from 1984 to 1988, Chen synthesized 20th-century Western techniques with Chinese artistic traditions to establish a distinctive global voice. His celebrated career features major honors, including SACEM's Grand Prix de la Musique Symphonique, the Golden Horse Award, and a French knighthood (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres). Notably serving as Music Director for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chen continues to mentor emerging talent through his workshop at Gonggeng College.

Born in 1973 in Dandong, China, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning conductor Xian Zhang trained at Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music and earned her DMA from the University of Cincinnati. First prize winner of the 2002 Maazel-Vilar Competition, she broke ground as the New York Philharmonic's Associate Conductor and the first female conductor with a titled role at a BBC orchestra. Zhang currently serves as Music Director for both the New Jersey Symphony and the Seattle Symphony, while holding the title of Conductor Emeritus with Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano. She maintains a prestigious international guest-conducting career spanning top global orchestras and leading opera houses.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz