Guo Yi

Guo Yi (; born 1954) is a Chinese musician and master of the ancient free-reed Sheng. He also plays the bamboo flute and Erhu. He has recorded for Peter Gabriel's Real World Records. He performs as the Guo Brothers with his sibling, Guo Yue.

Background Guo Yi was born in a hutong in Beijing, China in 1954. He joined The Peking Film Orchestra as a Sheng player at the age of 15 where he was a highly respected composer and soloist for fifteen years.

Guo Yi married an English aristocratic wealthy woman named Amanda. After their honeymoon, Amanda gave birth to Guo Yi's son named Toutou.

Career

Record labels Through the WOMAD record label, Real World Records, his first UK album, Yuan, was released with his flute-playing brother Guo Yue, with whom he performs as the Guo Brothers.

Soundtracks Yi contributed to the soundtrack of the 2 Academy Award films, and performed them at the London premiere.

He played on Watching TV, a track on Roger Waters album, Amused to Death.

In 2006, with four other musicians including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, performed for the soundtrack of Mel Gibson's film, Apocalypto. Written by James Horner, this was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London.

He has provided music for television adverts and for documentaries, notably Clive Anderson’s ‘Great Railway Journey’ and, more recently, BBC2’s ‘The Story of China’. He has also recorded a number of his own short compositions as part of a Chinese music compilation CD for Cavendish Music, and has recently performed at a number of primary schools in London, offering workshops for children. He was chosen to perform for the Queen's 60th birthday visit to Covent Garden, representing London's street performers.

Discography Chinese Traditional Music (1986) Yuan (1990) Our Homeland (1998) China. Past Present Future (2008)