Variations on awariguli

Chen Yi's sparklingly inventive variations are based on the Chinese folk song Awariguli, the name of a beautiful girl from the Uygur ethnic minority in Xinjiang. This solo piano work was written during the composer's freshman year at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, and was premiered by her sister Chen Min in October 1979. While the theme, nine variations, and dramatic coda are somewhat traditional in structure, they clearly enjoy Chen Yi's fascinating mix of Western and Chinese musical flavors.