The instantaneous grip, the electrifying playing style throughout, the logical phrasing, the rhythmic stability, and the staggeringly accurate intonation characterized all of Diyang Mei’s performances. Süddeutsche Zeitung

Inspired by his grandfather’s love of music Diyang Mei began playing the violin at the age of five. At the age of ten, he switched to the viola at the suggestion of Shaowu Wang, with whom he studied at the Central Conservatory in Beijing, and Diyang Mei immediately fell in love with its dark and mysterious sound. At this time, he also saw a documentary about Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then, he has dreamed of becoming part of this orchestra. In 2014, the musician continued his training in Germany - first at the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich with Hariolf Schlichtig and later with Nobuko Imai at Kronberg Academy. In addition to several other competitions, the violist won first prize at the ARD International Music Competition in 2018. The following year, Diyang Mei was appointed principal viola with the Munich Philharmonic. In 2022, he moved to the Berlin Philharmonic in the same position.

Diyang Mei also performs as a soloist with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the SWR Symphony Orchestra Stuttgart, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, among others. 

Diyang Mei plays a rare viola by Antonio Mariani, Pesaro 1646, a generous loan from a member of the Stretton Society.