Role

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Composer Performer

Birth

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1982 in Xi'An, China

 

Wang Lu is a Chinese-born composer who has made a name for herself in the world of contemporary classical music. Born in Xi'an, China in 1982, Wang Lu grew up in a family of musicians. Her father was a composer and her mother was a music teacher, so it was only natural that Wang Lu would develop an interest in music at a young age. Wang Lu began studying piano at the age of four and later took up the violin. She attended the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, where she studied composition with Ye Xiaogang and Chen Qigang. After completing her undergraduate studies, Wang Lu moved to the United States to pursue a master's degree in composition at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While studying in the United States, Wang Lu was exposed to a wide range of musical styles and began to develop her own unique voice as a composer. Her music is characterized by its use of unconventional sounds and textures, as well as its incorporation of elements from Chinese folk music. One of Wang Lu's most notable works is her piece "Cloud Intimacy," which was commissioned by the New York Philharmonic and premiered in 2018. The piece is scored for orchestra and features a solo cello part that is played by the orchestra's principal cellist. The piece is inspired by the Chinese concept of "yun qi," which refers to the idea of clouds and mist as a metaphor for the relationship between people. Another notable work by Wang Lu is her piece "Urban Inventory," which was commissioned by the Fromm Music Foundation and premiered in 2016. The piece is scored for chamber ensemble and features a wide range of percussion instruments, including Chinese gongs and cymbals. The piece is inspired by the sounds and rhythms of the city and explores the idea of urbanization and its impact on society. Wang Lu has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a composer, including the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome. She has also been commissioned by a number of prestigious organizations, including the New York Philharmonic, the Fromm Music Foundation, and the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program. In addition to her work as a composer, Wang Lu is also an accomplished pianist and has performed her own works as well as those of other composers in concerts around the world. She has also served as a guest lecturer and composer-in-residence at a number of universities and music festivals. Overall, Wang Lu is a talented and innovative composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of contemporary classical music. Her unique blend of Chinese and Western musical influences, combined with her use of unconventional sounds and textures, has earned her a reputation as one of the most exciting and original composers of her generation.

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