Yibai’s Biography

Hailed as one of the most compelling cellists of his generation, Berlin-based Yibai Chen is capturing international acclaim for his magnetic stage presence, profound musicality, and impeccable technique. Described in the international press as “nothing short of remarkable,” with a “flawless technique” that conveys “sincere tenderness and sensitivity.” Belgium’s leading publication La Libre Belgique wrote, his performance “came down like a light, taking us to another world.”  Violinist Daniel Hope says “Yibai Chen impressed me enormously from the first moment I heard him. He is a tremendous talent!”

Since his breakthrough at the Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition in 2022, Yibai Chen has quickly established an impressive international career. Highlights in the recent seasons include the world premiere of Piet Swerts’ Cello Concerto at Bozar Brussels with Belgian National Orchestra and Joshua Weilerstein. Both Shostakovich Cello Concertos with National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra (NCPAO) and Lawrence Foster. Debuts with Czech Chamber Philharmonic and Hagen Philharmonic. The Chinese premiere of Korngold’s Cello Concerto with China Philharmonic and Long Yu.

Besides, Yibai has received critical acclaim for his collaborations with world-renowned orchestras, such as Brussels Philharmonic, Basel Symphony, Warsaw Philharmonic,  Janáček Philharmonic, Shanghai Symphony, Shanghai Philharmonic, Guangzhou Symphony, Southwest German Philharmonic Konstanz, George Enescu Philharmonic, Banatul Philharmonic of Timisoara, Haydn Philharmonic, St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Royal Chamber Orchestra of  Wallonia, and Amadeus Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio, among others. Those engagements have brought him under the baton of conductors including Long Yu, Stéphane Denève, Hugh Wolff, Daniel Raiskin, Christian Ehwald, Vassily Sinaisky, Jia Lü, Eivind Aadland and Vahan Mardirossian.

An avid festival artist, Yibai has appeared at many of the world’s most prestigious classical music festivals including Chopin and His Europe Festival, George Enescu Festival, Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, Con Spirito Leipzig Music Festival, Stars and Rising Stars Festival, Telavi Music Festival (Georgia), Z+ Music Festival (Shanghai Symphony), performing with artists, such as Arabella Steinbacher, Benjamin Beilman, Ning Feng, Paul Huang, Nils Mönkemeyer, Sarah McElravy, Martin Helmchen.

Yibai performs regularly with his long-time duo partner and wife, pianist Boyang Shi. As frequent guests at the Shanghai Concert Hall, they have performed a series of distinctive programs, each concert marking a significant milestone in their musical journey. In 2023, they embarked on a highly acclaimed tour performing Beethoven’s complete works for piano and cello, comprising 17 concerts across Asia. “Their interpretation of Beethoven showcases a mastery and depth that transcend their age.” (Music Weekly China). Recent duo performances include appearances at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, Wigmore Hall, and Steinway Haus Berlin, further affirming Yibai’s reputation as an outstanding soloist and chamber musician with a growing international following.

Yibai’s competition achievements further highlight his exceptional talent. In addition to his success at the Queen Elisabeth Cello Competition, he has been a major prize winner at the Lutoslawski Cello Competition, the George Enescu Cello Competition, and the Tchaikovsky Cello Competition (2019) as the youngest candidate across all categories.

Yibai studied under Prof. Danjulo Ishizaka, whose mentorship has played a key role in shaping his artistic voice and musical sensibility. A graduate of the Music Academy Basel, he is currently pursuing the Konzertexamen (Artistic Diploma) under Prof. Ishizaka at the University of the Arts Berlin, where he also serves as his teaching assistant. Earlier in his musical journey, Yibai trained with Prof. Meijuan Liu at the Music Middle School Affiliated to the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, which now proudly welcomes him back as its Artist-in-Residence. He is also an ambassador for Henle Verlag, the world-renowned publisher of urtext classical editions.

Yibai Chen performs on a cello by Joseph Guadagnini (ca. 1780-1800), generously loaned to him by the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben Hamburg, supporting his continued artistic growth on the international stage.