But even more, to establish relationships between the materials, so that each element generated the next one, as if the last was the consequence of the first.вЂќ вЂњTo characterize musically a symbol in an extremely short time and to present a tangible material in an abstract language were my lines of strength. Because according to the Yi King, five elements constitute the universe: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. From there was born the idea of representing the five elements (Wu Xing). вЂњBefore going further in my process, I undertook to characterize each piece by a different symbol. вЂњThe challenge pleased me and I took it up as a style exercise, supported by the pressure of the duration. вЂњThis commission immediately raised all my interest, for the proposition coincided with a period of personal quest,вЂќ Chen wrote. One of these, a commission for a short orchestral piece, came from Radio France in 1998. All his works written since 1985 are remarkable by their thought, their poetry, and their instrumentation.вЂќД¬henвЂ™s colorful integration of Chinese and Western traditions has drawn adulatory attention in Europe and China, earning him numerous prizes and commissions.

вЂњI have carefully read all his musical works, and I can state that his compositions display real inventiveness, very great talent, and a total assimilation of Chinese thinking to European musical concepts. вЂњEndowed with exceptional intelligence and an excellent internal вЂearвЂ™, he has very quickly assimilated European music and all contemporary music.

вЂњSince I left the Conservatory, Qigang Chen has been my only pupil, and if I agreed to work with him for four years, it was because I hold him in high esteem,вЂќ Messiaen wrote. Orchestration: 3 flutes (3rd = piccolo), 3 oboes, 3 clarinets (2nd = E-flat clarinet, 3rd = bass clarinet), 3 bassoons (3rd = contrabasssoon), 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, percussion (bamboo chimes, bass drum, glockenspiel, log drum, marimba, metal chimes, suspended cymbal, tam-tam, temple blocks, triangle, tubular bells, vibraphone, wood blocks, xylophone), harp, piano (= celesta), and stringsДЇirst Los Angeles Philharmonic performancesДЄfter graduating from the Central Conservatory in Beijing, Qigang Chen went to France in 1984, where he was Olivier MessiaenвЂ™s last student for four years.

Five elements