Viola Sonata Yin and Yang (2026)
“A wonderful new contribution to the viola repertoire...
...that showcases both the brilliance and haunting beauty of the viola sound.
...creating harmony between the musical traditions of different parts of the globe."
—Liz Freivogel, violist, Jupiter String Quartet
“extraordinary viola sonata"
—Joseph Polisi, former Juilliard President
Introduction
Yin and Yang is a multi-movement sonata for viola and piano inspired by Chinese folk traditions, mythology, poetry, and theatrical music. Drawing on the compositional approach of Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher, the work reimagines traditional materials within a contemporary concert framework. Rather than quoting folk melodies as historical artifacts, the sonata transforms them into new musical narratives for the modern viola.
Instrumentation: viola, piano
Movements:
I. Mountains and Rivers
II. Sorrow and Joy
III. Right and Wrong
Duration: c. 20 mins
Difficulty: Advanced
About the Work
“Kun Yan's new sonata for viola and piano, Yin and Yang, is a wonderful new contribution to the viola repertoire. Yan studied closely how Paul Hindemith embedded German folk songs in his famous viola concerto, Der Schwanendreher, and has used this as inspiration to create this vibrant and engaging new sonata. Looking to the rich musical traditions of his native China, Yan fills Yin and Yang with a variety of references to various Chinese folk styles and instruments, structuring a three-movement work that showcases both the brilliance and haunting beauty of the viola sound. In a world filled with international friction, this work carries particular resonance, with its focus on creating harmony between the musical traditions of different parts of the globe. Well-suited to the viola due to Yan's extensive training on the instrument, Yin and Yang should be a fulfilling project for a great variety of violists."
—Liz Freivogel, violist, Jupiter String Quartet and Professor of Viola, University of Illinois
Movement Guide
I. Mountains and Rivers
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folk songs from southwestern China：
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A Small River Flows 小河淌水
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The Boxwood Shoulder Pole 黄杨扁担
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Love Song of Kangding 康定情歌
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Pentatonic, Linear voicing, Quartal chords, Ternary form
II. Sorrow and Joy
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Song-dynasty poem Immortals at the Magpie Bridge (poem and translation are in the score)
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Love story of a cowherd and a celestial weaver, condemned to live apart
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Lyrical writing, Contrapuntal texture, Ternary form
III. Right and Wrong
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Peking Opera The Case of Chen Shimei
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Imitation of Chinese Instrument Timbre:
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Temple bell, Sheng, Guqin, Chinese percussions
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Daoism, Buddhism
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Fugue, Virtuosity, Rondo form
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Research Background
Yin and Yang emerged from doctoral research examining Paul Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher and its use of German folk material. The project explores how similar compositional principles may be applied to Chinese folk traditions, creating new repertoire for the viola while preserving connections to cultural heritage.
The sonata is accompanied by a scholarly study and lecture-recital series exploring these relationships in greater depth.