August 17, 2023: The Rhythm Method Ensemble Group (Leah Asher, Violin. Marina Kifferstein, Violin. Carrie Frey, Viola. Helen Newby, Cello). World premiere on Lake George Music Festival (Lake George, NY- USA)


In “Notturno”, I want to take listeners on a journey through the enchanting realm of night.The piece is divided into four distinct sections, each portraying a different facet of the nocturnal experience.The first section, "Twilight Reverie," sets the tone for the piece, drawing listeners into the mystical transition between day and night. Following the serenity of twilight, "Sparkling Flight" takes flight with lively and energetic passages.The strings engage in a dance of agility, portraying the enchantment and exuberance of creatures taking flight under the moonlit sky. The third section, "Midnight Musings," delves into the introspective nature of the night. Through introspective melodies and contemplative harmonies, the music reflects the quietude of the late hours, when thoughts wander and emotions deepen. As dawn approaches, "Vibrant Daybreak" heralds the arrival of a new day with renewed energy and vigor.The quartet's interplay intensifies, building to a triumphant climax, symbolizing the emergence from the darkness of night into the radiant light of day.

Notturno (2023): for string quartet

Xinyuan Deng is a composer, pianist, sound artist, and educator originally from Henan, China. Beginning piano studies at age five, she developed a deep connection to music early on. Her compositions blend traditional Chinese aesthetics with contemporary sounds, creating immersive sonic worlds where memory, movement, and stillness intertwine.

Xinyuan’s work spans acoustic, electroacoustic, and multimedia forms, reflecting a broad palette of textures and expressive possibilities. Her music has been performed internationally by ensembles such as Austria’s PHACE Contemporary Ensemble, The Rhythm Method String Quartet, Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra, and Harbin Symphony Orchestra.

Recent highlights include her role as a Composition Fellow at the National Orchestral Institute + Festival, where her chamber orchestra piece BAN-NA, inspired by the landscapes and dances of Xishuangbanna, premiered. She was also a featured composer for the American Composers Orchestra EarShot Readings in 2025. Her multimedia piece Whispers in Motion, integrating kalimba, live electronics, and dance, earned the Morris and Sheila Hass Award in Computer Music.

Xinyuan holds degrees from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where she is pursuing a Doctor of Music with minors in Music Theory and Electronic Music.