GE GAN-RU (b. 1954)

YIMING ZHANG is a dedicated performer of Chinese piano works, as well as an active lecturer. Zhang has also translated and published several books from English to Chinese, including Carl Czerny’s On the Proper Performance of All Beethoven’s Works for the Piano, Alban Berg’s piano sonatas, as well as Durand’s edition of Debussy’s piano works. Yiming Zhang was awarded his doctoral degree in piano performance from Temple University, where he studied with Harvey Wedeen (piano) and Lambert Orkis (fortepiano, contemporary music, and chamber music). He currently teaches at the piano department of Xinghai Conservatory of Music.

GE GAN-RU, ‘China’s first avant-garde composer’, is regarded as one of the most original voices of his generation. Composed in close collaboration with pianist Yiming Zhang, 12 Études for Extended Piano explores techniques using the hands on the strings and keys of the piano, as well as employing a variety of objects to create effects that range from menacing darkness to the kaleidoscopic magic of harmonics, and from skilful drumming to atmospheres as calm as flowing water. Yiming Zhang continues his survey of Ge Gan-ru’s piano music in this second volume of the composer’s works.