Overview
Biography
Yang Meng, a cellist educated in both China and the United States, and now the professor of Cello at China Conservatory of Music, was the former principal cellist in the Orchestra of National Centre for the Performing Arts（China NCPA Orchestra）. In June 2013, Yang was selected by CCTV as one of the "Top Ten Young Cello Players" and participated in the recording of the “glorious blooming” series of concerts, winning praise at home and abroad.
Meng Yang is a graduate of the distinguished Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas, his work has gained him recognition as one of the most gifted new performing artists today. A versatile cello soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player, he has performed extensively in North America, Asia, and Europe and worked with some of the world’s best-known music directors, performers, and chamber groups.
Yang has studied in Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Columbus State University, the University of Missouri and Rice University in the US, and obtained a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music. In the course of learning under the renowned cellist Lynn Harrell, Yang acted as his assistant at Rice University and became the youngest assistant in the history of that university.
Yang has won numerous prizes in international competitions, including the second prize (the first was vacant) and "the most promising novice" prize in the First Prokoviev International Competition in Moscow. He won the first prize in Missouri String Music Teachers Association in Georgia of the United States. He also won "The National Dean's List Award" and "USAA All-American Scholar Collegiate Award" as well as "The Chancellor's List Award" for many times.
During his overseas travelling and residence, he also served as the principal cellist for Houston Chamber Orchestra, the Miami New World Symphony Orchestra and the Tennessee Memphis Symphony Orchestra respectively, and was awarded the title of honorary principal cellist by Vincent Frank, the founder of Memphis Symphony Orchestra, he is also the youngest one winning this extraordinary honor during the history of this regiment.
Yang's footprints had been spread across the whole North America, Europe, and Asia. He used to cooperated with famous music masters such as Christoph Eschenbach, Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Jeffrey Tate, Gary Graffman, Itzak Perlman, Sergiu Comissiona; Roger Norrington, and Cho-Liang Lin, etc. Yang's performance had received attention and wide acclaim from overseas media including television, radio and newspaper.
2011, Yang Meng together with the famous pianist Chen Sa and violinist Ning Feng founded China's first star chamber music band. As one of the most distinguished chamber bands in this era, their performances had been renowned both at home and abroad and also contributed to filling the gaps in this field in China.
During the year of 2020, Yang Meng formed his Twilight-Bach Project, giving his poet recital in Shandong Grand Theater, Dezhou Grand Theater, Xiamen Cangjiang Theater, Zhuhai Grand Theater, Foshan Theater, Gansu Grand Theater and Suzhou Arts Center. In 2021, he will unveil a new international collaboration with Lebanese Artist & Curator Georges Yammine, playing all 6 Bach suites in all China.
After returning the motherland, Yang Meng was widely concerned and praised by the Chinese media and newspapers, including the China Culture Daily that had reported in July 2011 that "The cellist Yang Meng is prominent in this part among domestic symphony orchestra ... he had participated in the creation of the Beijing Trio, which is an event seemingly placid but very likely to be recorded into the music history of China ... ". Beijing Times reported that "Yang Meng performs in a style filled with sufficient singing sense with simple and smooth music lines, showing that he is very experienced ... and is very impressive." In addition, there had also been special reports from LETTER FROM CHINA, the special report entitled "Impression" from the Journal of National Centre for the Performing Arts, and "Yang Meng’s Comments on His Partners Chen Sa and Ning Feng" from Beijing Evening New, etc.
