When cello meets piano

From Dec 28 to Jan 17, they are performing together in concerts in Chinese cities including Tianjin, Quanzhou in Fujian province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Shanghai.

The theme is titled The Gallery Beside My Ears, an idea from the concerts' music director, composer Li Bo, who is also an associate professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

For Chen, the goal was always to create an immersive experience for the audience. "The best music, in my opinion, should evoke images," he says. "When you listen, it should paint a picture in your mind — like a gallery of sounds. The audience should be able to form their own visual representations of the music."

With this vision in mind, their performance became more than just a concert — it was an auditory journey, a curated experience of music that transcended traditional boundaries.

Yue, inspired by Chen's approach, began reflecting on his own performance philosophy. "Music is an abstract medium. Sometimes, I find it difficult to express its true essence in words. It's a process of transformation, one that can't always be neatly packaged," he says. "But with Chen, we're able to create something fresh. His guidance has been invaluable in helping me find new ways to express my music. Our collaboration feels like a form of storytelling — a way to share our life experiences through the music."