I-Lly Cheng creates works encompassing music, installations, live electronics, physical movement, and organic materials. I-Lly’s practice consistently probes the relationships between human frameworks and nature.

With a background in musical instrument performance that ignited a passion for body-sound interactivity, I-Lly has developed various sound interaction systems that explore individuality beyond the confines of traditional instruments. Through these creations, she invites participants to embark on sensory journeys, providing broader perspectives on the essence of nature: awareness of energy, open-mindedness, and existence.

full CV

Chamber

  • Life is Floating Endlessly (2020)15', for organ, sheng ensemble, and percussionists, conducted by Chien Wen-Pin, performed by KCO, at National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts-Weiwuying

  • The Sensation of Reality (2016) 20’, a double concerto for sho, recorder, and live electronics, premiered by Yi-Chang Liang and Naomi Sato, at Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Ensemble

  • Trace (2019) 10’, for flute, piano, violin, viola, cello, amplified watercolor paper, UMZE Ensemble, at Budapest Music Center, Hungary.

  • Touch - Trio (2018) 10’, for three sound/ video installations and three performers

  • Touche Nature (2017) 10’, for four water installations/ percussionists, premiere by We Spoke, Le Bourg, Lausanne, Switzerland

  • Within a Tranquil Space (2016) 7’, for shakuhachi, duduk, sho, sheng, guzheng, and guqin, premiere by Atlas ensemble, at Amsterdam Conservatorium Haitinkzaal

  • Waves (2016) 6’, for four open instruments, tape, and live electronics, premiered by Nanna Ikonen, Wei Hung, Laura Nygren, I-lly Cheng, at Amsterdam Conservatorium

  • Touch (2016) 10’, for four water installations/percussionists, premiered by We Spoke percussion group, Darmstadt, Lichentberg Schule

  • Shan (2012) 7'30, for four traditional Chinese instruments, performed in National Concert Hall of Taiwan. Third prize winner of the Composition Competition of Chai Found Traditional Music Workshop.

  • Dark, Light (2010) 10', for string quartet, premiered by I-Pei Lin, Han-Yun Chang, Ping-Chang Tsai, and Li-Ling Tin, at National Taiwan Recital Hall

Interdisciplinary Work

  • Earth's Instruments (2024), Site-specific performance, with a space installation, Matsu, Xiju island

  • Qualia (2022)60’, for two performers, music theatre, performed by Theresa Lei, Fei-Tsui Luo, National Taichung Theater Playhouse

  • The Magical Tree with Compound Leaves (2021-22), Moringa Oleifera, timelapse camera, and growing diary

  • The Memory of the Land (2021) 18’ , Site-specific performance, for two performers and cotton papers, performed by Theresa Lei, Fei-Tsui Luo, Treasure Hill Artists Village

  • Mikrokosmos No.1 (2020) 5', for VR and Ambisonic system, premiered at Taiwan Sound Lab

  • Misreading (2019) 12’, for 40 installed transducers under concert hall chairs and projection mapping on the ceiling, at National Taiwan Recital Hall

  • Yours Mine (2016-2022) 10’-20’, for open solo instrument/performer, voice, and flexible tape, to present different performers’ playing in a website form

Duo

  • Yong (2020)15', for sheng, synthesizer, and 8 channels live electronics, premiered by Li-Chin Li, Hai-Ting Liao, live streaming

  • UNI- (2015) 15', for Sho, Recorder, Live electronics and Image, premiere by Yi-Chang Liang and Naomi Sato, at Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

  • Heterochromatic Dream (2011) 5', for soprano, piano, and electronics, premiered by Hsiao-Pei Wu, Su-Yu Chang, National Taiwan Recital Hall

  • Superimpose (2009) 7', for soprano, percussion and electronics

Solo

  • Water Memory (2022) 15’, water installation solo, premiere by Céline Papion, at Hospitalkirche Stuttgart

  • Dew (2019) 8’, for dizi and live electronics, premiered by Ryan Zen, at National Concert Hall of Taiwan, Innovation Series

  • Touch - Solo (2018) 5’, for one water installation and a performer

  • Subtlety (2017) 11’, for prepared Zheng, live electronics and light, premiere by Ming-Chin Kuo, at Ya Song Concert Hall in Taipei

  • Mourning for Fukushima (2017) 15', three consecutive short piano pieces with transducer-installed piano

  • Kodama (2016) 9', for shakuhachi and live electronics, premiered by Harrie Starreveld, at Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ

  • Ceasing Time (2016/2022) 10’, for cello and live electronics

  • Piano Etude I - V (2015- 2016), for piano solo and live electronics

  • UNTITLED (2015) 9', for soprano saxophone, live electronics, and tape, premiered in Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Het Bethaniënklooster.

  • .. .. (2015) 9', for Harpsichord and Live electronics

  • Nix (2014) 5', for piano and live electronics

  • Submerged in Silence (2013) 9’, for piano, live electronics and video

  • Melt (2012) 10', for Guzheng and Electronics

  • Interpenetration (2009) 10', for solo piano

Installation

  • Touch - Duo (2018) 6’, two water installations

  • ECHO-Sand (2015) Sound Installation work with Piano and Live electronics

  • ECHO-Light (2015) Sound Installation work with Objects, Violin, Soprano and Live electronics

  • Des Script (2014), immersive music score installation

  • Kaleidoscope (2011), interactive sound/optics installation

Electronics

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