The Song of the Earth (2004) by Ye Xiaogang is a contemporary orchestral work that reimagines Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde through a distinctly Chinese lens. Drawing on the lyrical beauty of Tang Dynasty poetry, Ye sets classical Chinese texts to music, exploring themes of nature, impermanence, and human longing. The piece is both meditative and emotionally resonant, with music that echoes the philosophical depth of the original poems. Ye’s orchestration delicately balances Eastern and Western elements, allowing ancient Chinese verse to speak through modern musical language. 

The Lonely Camel Calf (2012) by Mongolian-born composer Yu Mengshi blends contemporary style with the depth of Mongolian folk traditions. Inspired by the folk song The Lonely White Camel Calf from Inner Mongolia, the piece follows a young camel’s solitary journey through the Gobi Desert in search of its mother. Written for orchestra and a solo cello tuned to emulate the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), it draws on long song contours, khöömei singing style, and traditional rhythmic forms. Evoking homesickness and longing, the work reimagines folk elements into a fresh, contemporary voice.

The chamber opera Mi 谜 (The Enigma) premiered in December 2023, featuring a libretto by Pan Geng and music by Ma Hanrui. Pan’s libretto is an homage to David Henry Hwang’s acclaimed play M. Butterfly. In Mi, Pan and Ma draw inspiration from Hwang’s story to explore issues of illusion and desire in their own unique voice. The arrangement weaves together three vocal roles—a tenor, a baritone, and a male dan from Peking Opera—supported by the Bard East/West Ensemble’s unique fusion of Chinese and Western instruments. Over two short acts, the piece relates the tragic story of a French officer entangled in his own "Madame Butterfly" fantasy. Elegant and unsettling, Mi explores themes of identity, deception, and the devastating power of cultural myth.

Wang Danhong’s Four Seasons in Lingering Garden is a vivid orchestral suite inspired by the classical Chinese garden in Suzhou. In a new arrangement exclusively for the Bard East/West Ensemble, the piece captures the shifting moods of each season through the interplay of traditional Chinese instruments alongside a Western string quintet. The music evokes the elegance and tranquility of the Lingering Garden, blending lyrical melodies with intricate textures. Choreographer Dai Jian imbues the piece with the graceful movement of two dancers joining the ensemble on stage.