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.
EDUCATION
2014-2016
Conservatorium van Amsterdam, MM, Live Electronics.
Thesis:《Musicality and Objecthood: Audiovisuality by Physical means》
2008-2012
National Taiwan Normal University, MFA, Composition.
Thesis:《Jonathan Harvey’s "Tombeau de Messiaen": An Analysis and an Inspired Personal Work》
2003-2008
National Taiwan University of Art, BFA, Piano.
LIST OF WORK
2022
Warer Memory (2022)15’, for water installation solo
Qualia (2022)60’, for two performers, music theatre
Yours Mine (I-Lly’s Version)
2021
The Magical Tree with Compound Leaves (2021-22), Moringa Oleifera, timelapse camera, and growing diary
The Memory of the Land (2021), Site-specific performance, for two performers and cotton papers
2020
Life is floating endlessly (2020)15', for organ, sheng ensemble, and percussionists
Yours Mine (Céline’s Version)
Yours Mine (Irene’s Version)
Yours Mine (Sarah’s Version)
Mikrokosmos No.1 (2020) 5', for VR and Ambisonic system
Yong (2020)15', for sheng, synthesizer, and 8 channels live electronics
2019
Trace (2019) 10’, for flute, piano, violin, viola, cello, amplified watercolor paper
Misreading (2019) 12’, for 40 installed transducers under concert hall chairs and projection mapping on the ceiling
Dew (2019) 8’, for dizi and live electronics
2018
Touch - Trio (2018) 10’, for three sound/ video installations and three performers
Touch - Solo (2018) 5’, for one water installation and a performer
Touch-Duo (2018) 6’, two water installations
2017
Touche Nature (2017) 10’, for four water installations/ percussionists
Subtlety (2017) 11’, for prepared Zheng, live electronics and video/ light
Mourning for Fukushima (2017) 15', three consecutive short piano pieces with transducer-installed piano
2016
The Sensation of Reality (2016) 20’, double concerto for sho and recorder with live electronics
Within a Tranquil Space (2016) 7’, for shakuhachi, duduk, sho, sheng, guzheng and guqin
Waves (2016) 6’, for four open instruments, tapes, and live electronics
Touch (2016) 10’, for four water installations/ percussionist
Yours Mine (2016-now) 15', for open solo instrument/ performer
Kodama (2016) 9', for shakuhachi and live electronics
Ceasing Time (2016) 10’, for cello and live electronics
2015
UNI- (2015) 15', for Sho, Recorder, Live electronics, and Image
ECHO-Sand (2015) Sound Installation work with Piano and Live electronics
ECHO-Light (2015) Sound Installation work with Objects, Violin, Soprano, 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
.. .. (2015) 9', for Harpsichord and Live electronics
2014
Des Script (2014), immersive music score installation
Nix (2014) 5', for piano and live electronics
2013
Submerged in Silence (2013) 9’, for piano, live electronics, and video
2012
Shan (2012) 7'30, for four Chinese Instrument- erhu, pipa, shen, zheng
Melt (2012) 10', for Guzheng and Electronics
2011
Heterochromatic Dream (2011) 5', for soprano, piano, and electronics
Kaleidoscope (2011), interactive sound/optics installation
SDINGUHOTS (2011) 10', video
2010
Dark, Light (2010) 10', for string quartet
2009
Into Strings (2009) 5', electronics
Superimpose (2009) 7', for soprano, percussion, and electronics
Interpenetration (2009) 10', for solo piano