Bao Yuan-kai is a prominent Chinese composer, music theorist and teacher. He graduated from the Beijing's Central Conservatory in 1967, where he studied composition. He currently holds several teaching positions - namely as professor of music at the Arts College of Xiamen University, professor at the Humanities College of Taiwan Nanhua University, and professor of the Composition Department of Tianjin Conservatory. Beyond these faculty posts, Mr. Bao is Vice-Dean of the Composition Committee of the Chinese Musicians Association and a jury member of the Chinese National Composition Competition "Jing Zhong". As an educator, many of Bao's students have become distinguished composers in China. His insights led to an invitation from the US Information Agency to conduct a 7-city lecture tour of the US in 1993.

Bao is the composer of numerous works, including symphonies, chamber music, oratorios, song-cycles, songs, ballets, and film soundtracks. His music has been performed in more than 30 countries by a number of Chinese and foreign performing ensembles in of Asia, Europe, Australia, and the US. His works have been recorded on CDs from a number of labels, including Deutsche Grammphone, Phillips, and Hugo. His most celebrated work is a symphonic series entitled Chinese Sights and Sounds - consisting of 7 distinct works which combine traditional Chinese melodies with western orchestral writing - several parts of which are found here at the Classical Archives. These works, especially the Sketches of the Highland of Yuannan have become extremely popular in China, as well as elsewhere. As a testament to its popularity, Chinese Sights and Sounds was once performed simultaneously in Beijing and Taipei in 1996.

Bao Yuan-kai

email: byk0104@nankai.edu.cn

website: http://www.museart.cn/byk

Below are works by Y.Bao that every music lover should explore: