Yi-Ning Lo, currently based in Rochester New York, is a composer and pianist from Taiwan. Over the course of her artistic journey, she has drawn abundant inspiration for both vocal and instrumental compositions from a rich tapestry of literature, encompassing Western poems, Taiwanese folk tunes, ancient Chinese poetry, and Japanese haiku. For instance, her chorus work “Seek, Home” intricately weaves together contrasting texts in two languages: William Blake’s “Nurse’s Song” and the Taiwanese folk tune “A Bird Cries in Despair,” creating ambiguity and tension surrounding the concept of “home.” Her chamber-orchestra piece “Woven Veins” received the Christine Clark/Theodore Front Prize in 2019, gaining further recognition through broadcast on the radio show “Music of our Mothers” and an honorable mention in the fall journal issued by the International Alliance for Women in Music. More recently, her composition “Alien, Cabbage, and Me” (for live electronics and live video) explores her own language-learning experience as a non-native English speaker. This composition was selected by the Society of Composers for inclusion in their Super Regional Summer Mixtape in 2023.
In her compositional journey, Lo takes particular joy in exploring themes related to womanhood, dreams, and memory, infusing her compositions with a profound sense of emotion and storytelling. Currently, her focus is on an opera project that blends acoustic instruments, electronic sounds, literature, installations, and theater. This opera delves into the contemporary struggles of young women, offering a compelling narrative that reflects the complexities of modern life. Lo has garnered prestigious awards from numerous competitions, including the Classic Pure Vienna Composition Competition, the Robert Avalon International Competition, and the International Eduardas Balsys Young Composers Competition. Her compositions are published by Universal Edition and Theodore Front Music Literature. She has collaborated with ensembles such as the Cornell University Glee Club and Chorus, Rochester Institute of Technology Philharmonic Orchestra, and Hats+Heels Duo. Currently, Lo is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition at the Eastman School of Music, having previously earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from National Taiwan Normal University. |
photo by MIAO's Photography
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Her works since 2015 include:
2024
Wrath of the Winged Dance - for orchestra
There is Hope in the Air - for harp, mezzo-soprano, violin and cello
2023
Seek, Home - for SATB choir and piano
A Penny More - for contralto and bass clarinet
Alien, Cabbage, and Me - for live electronics and live video
Celebration of Mediocrity - for bassoon, percussion, alto voice, piano, and viola
Selves - for piccolo, soprano, and double bass
2022
Raw Materials - for electronics
Broken Pulsation - for tuba and piano
In a Glass Jar - for cello
Kaleidoscopic Venture - for sinfonietta
The Locked Enigma - for percussion
Swirls of Glitter - for orchestra
2021
Collage of Oblivion - for electronics
Marbles in the Wok - for piano and electronics
Into a Woman's Lunacy - for soprano (with or without live electronics)
Metal and Dust - for triple oscillator, two buzzers, two photosensors, eight LED lights, and electronics
Mad Girl's Love Song - for bassoon and harp
Stolen Nest - for piano trio
The Sweep of Downy Flakes - for bass flute
2020
Reflection on Buried Fragments - for classical guitar
Nine Pieces for Piano
Blackmud - for contralto and piano
2019
The Tune of Ru Meng Ling - for soprano, flute, percussion, classical guitar, violin, cello
About Solitude - for soprano and piano
Woven Veins - for sinfonietta
Lost Lust - for orchestra
2018
Ambar - for clarinet in Bb and harp
String Quartet No. 2 “Intertwined”
2017
Collision - for orchestra
High Heels on the Clock Face - for piano quartet
2016
Transmutation - for orchestra
Womb, Ocean, Morning Star - for 2 flutes, clarinet in Bb, percussion, piano, 2 violins, and 2 cellos
2015
String Quartet No. 1 “Frame”
2024
Wrath of the Winged Dance - for orchestra
There is Hope in the Air - for harp, mezzo-soprano, violin and cello
2023
Seek, Home - for SATB choir and piano
A Penny More - for contralto and bass clarinet
Alien, Cabbage, and Me - for live electronics and live video
Celebration of Mediocrity - for bassoon, percussion, alto voice, piano, and viola
Selves - for piccolo, soprano, and double bass
2022
Raw Materials - for electronics
Broken Pulsation - for tuba and piano
In a Glass Jar - for cello
Kaleidoscopic Venture - for sinfonietta
The Locked Enigma - for percussion
Swirls of Glitter - for orchestra
2021
Collage of Oblivion - for electronics
Marbles in the Wok - for piano and electronics
Into a Woman's Lunacy - for soprano (with or without live electronics)
Metal and Dust - for triple oscillator, two buzzers, two photosensors, eight LED lights, and electronics
Mad Girl's Love Song - for bassoon and harp
Stolen Nest - for piano trio
The Sweep of Downy Flakes - for bass flute
2020
Reflection on Buried Fragments - for classical guitar
Nine Pieces for Piano
Blackmud - for contralto and piano
2019
The Tune of Ru Meng Ling - for soprano, flute, percussion, classical guitar, violin, cello
About Solitude - for soprano and piano
Woven Veins - for sinfonietta
Lost Lust - for orchestra
2018
Ambar - for clarinet in Bb and harp
String Quartet No. 2 “Intertwined”
2017
Collision - for orchestra
High Heels on the Clock Face - for piano quartet
2016
Transmutation - for orchestra
Womb, Ocean, Morning Star - for 2 flutes, clarinet in Bb, percussion, piano, 2 violins, and 2 cellos
2015
String Quartet No. 1 “Frame”