Shanghai Quartet, Bright Sheng, Wu Man - Bright Sheng: Silent Temple (2002)

Bright Sheng is a Chinese-American composer, pianist, music teacher and conductor born on December 6, 1955 in Shanghai, China. Before moving to the United States in 1982, he studied the piano at the age of four from his mother. He graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory and went on to continue his education at Queens College and Columbia University. In 1995, he became a part of the faculty at the University of Michigan. Sheng has since then earned many honors for his music and compositions.
Most of Sheng’s musical career has followed the path of mixing Western cultures and Asian cultures into his pieces, leading his music to be performed in both Asia and the United States, as well as around the world.
The Three Songs for Violoncello and Pipa was world premiered by Yo Yo Ma and Wu Man at the White House in 1999. It was recorded by Nicholas Tzavaras, cellist from Shanghai Quartet and Wu Man, pipa in 2002. This album, includes Bright Sheng's String Quartet no.3 and no.4, as well as Four Movements for Piano Trio.