Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

1960 in Hong Kong

 

Alice Ping Yee Ho is a Canadian composer of classical music who has gained international recognition for her innovative and eclectic style. Born in Hong Kong in 1960, Ho began her musical training at a young age, studying piano and composition with local teachers. She later moved to Canada to pursue her studies, earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Music degree from the University of Toronto. Ho's early works were heavily influenced by her Chinese heritage, incorporating traditional Chinese instruments and musical elements into her compositions. One of her most notable early works is the chamber opera "The Lesson of Da Ji," which tells the story of a legendary Chinese beauty who is punished for her vanity. The opera features a blend of Western and Chinese instruments, including the erhu (a two-stringed Chinese fiddle) and the pipa (a four-stringed Chinese lute). In the 1990s, Ho began to explore new musical styles and techniques, incorporating electronic and computer-generated sounds into her compositions. Her work during this period includes the electroacoustic piece "The Shaman," which uses sampled sounds and live electronics to create a haunting and otherworldly atmosphere. Ho's later works continue to push the boundaries of classical music, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and world music into her compositions. One of her most recent works is the opera "Our Earth," which explores themes of environmentalism and sustainability. The opera features a diverse cast of characters, including a polar bear, a tree, and a human scientist, and incorporates a range of musical styles and instruments. Throughout her career, Ho has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award, the Canada Council for the Arts' Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award, and the Toronto Arts Foundation's William Kilbourn Award for the Celebration of Toronto's Cultural Life. She has also been commissioned by a wide range of organizations and ensembles, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, and the Canadian Opera Company. Ho's music is characterized by its eclectic and innovative style, blending elements of Western classical music with traditional Chinese music, electronic sounds, and other musical genres. Her work explores a wide range of themes and subjects, from environmentalism and sustainability to Chinese mythology and culture. With her unique voice and innovative approach to composition, Alice Ping Yee Ho has established herself as one of Canada's most important and influential composers of classical music.

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