Role

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Composer

Country

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Canada

Birth

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February 6, 1975 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Period

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Contemporary

Genre

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Keyboard

 

Vivian Fung is a Canadian composer of contemporary classical music. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1975 to Chinese immigrant parents. Fung began playing the piano at the age of four and later studied at the University of British Columbia and the Juilliard School in New York City. Fung's music is known for its blend of Western classical music with Asian and other world music influences. She has composed works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, chamber groups, and solo performers. Her music has been performed by major orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. One of Fung's most notable works is her Violin Concerto, which was commissioned by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2011. The concerto features a solo violin accompanied by a large orchestra and incorporates elements of Chinese folk music. The piece has been praised for its virtuosic solo passages and its use of unconventional percussion instruments, such as a water gong and a lion's roar. Another notable work by Fung is her String Quartet No. 3, which was commissioned by the Cecilia String Quartet and premiered in 2013. The piece is inspired by the Chinese legend of the Four Dragons and features four distinct movements, each representing a different dragon. The quartet has been praised for its intricate harmonies and its use of extended techniques, such as harmonics and pizzicato. Fung has also composed several works for solo piano, including Glimpses, which was commissioned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and premiered in 2006. The piece is a collection of short character pieces that showcase Fung's diverse musical influences, including jazz and Chinese folk music. In addition to her work as a composer, Fung is also an active performer and educator. She has performed as a pianist with several ensembles, including the New York New Music Ensemble and the Da Capo Chamber Players. She has also taught composition at the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Toronto. Fung has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a composer, including the 2012 Jan V. Matejcek New Classical Music Award and the 2013 Harry Freedman Recording Award. She was also named the 2018 Composer-in-Residence for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Overall, Vivian Fung is a highly regarded composer in the contemporary classical music world. Her music is known for its unique blend of Western and Asian influences and its use of unconventional instrumentation and extended techniques. With a growing body of work and a commitment to education and performance, Fung is sure to continue making an impact on the classical music world for years to come.

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