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Composer

 

Viet Cuong is a contemporary classical music composer who has gained recognition for his unique and innovative compositions. Born in 1990 in Princeton, New Jersey, Cuong grew up in a family of musicians. His mother was a pianist and his father was a composer, and they both encouraged him to pursue music from a young age. Cuong began playing the piano at the age of six and later picked up the trumpet in middle school. He attended the Juilliard School for his undergraduate degree in composition, where he studied with Robert Beaser and John Corigliano. He then went on to earn his master's degree in composition from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Christopher Theofanidis. Cuong's compositions have been performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the American Composers Orchestra. He has also been commissioned by organizations such as the Fromm Music Foundation and the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition. One of Cuong's most notable works is his percussion concerto, "Re(new)al," which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2017. The piece features a solo percussionist who plays a variety of instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, and drum set. Cuong's use of rhythm and percussion in this piece creates a sense of energy and excitement that is characteristic of his style. Another notable work by Cuong is his string quartet, "Wax and Wire," which was commissioned by the Aizuri Quartet and premiered in 2016. The piece is inspired by the idea of tension and release, and features intricate rhythms and harmonies that create a sense of unease and anticipation. Cuong's music often explores themes of identity and cultural heritage. His piece "Diamond in the Rough" is inspired by his Vietnamese heritage and features traditional Vietnamese instruments such as the đàn bầu and đàn tranh. The piece was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra and premiered in 2018. In addition to his work as a composer, Cuong is also an educator. He has taught composition at the Peabody Institute and the Interlochen Center for the Arts, and currently serves as an assistant professor of composition at the University of Michigan. Cuong's innovative and dynamic compositions have earned him numerous awards and accolades, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the Suzanne and Lee Ettelson Composer's Award. He continues to push the boundaries of classical music and inspire audiences with his unique voice and vision.

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