Work of the Week - Xiaogang Ye: Starry Sky

The eyes of the world are currently on Beijing for the 29th Olympic Games which began on Friday 8th August. Alongside two weeks of sporting events, images of the phenomenal opening ceremony which took place in front of 91,000 people in the Olympic Stadium and a worldwide audience of 4 billion, are sure to be some of the most memorable of the whole games. The musical centrepiece of the ceremony was the world premiere performance by Lang Lang of Xiaogang Ye's piano concerto Starry Sky.

After the first notes, playfully executed by 5-year-old Li Muzi, the concerto, performed by the Chinese Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Yu Long and a pre-recorded electronic part, unfolded to reveal a breathtaking sound world. Video projection and dancers were also involved, adding to the spectacle which aimed to show the world that China is a modern country.

• "Starry Sky" - Piano Concerto for the Olympic Games 2008
• Lang Lang performs Xiaogang Ye's New Piano Concerto
• Xiaogang Ye - Profile