Role

:

Composer Conductor

 

Wen Jin Liu was a Chinese-American composer who was born on December 12, 1939, in Shanghai, China. He was the youngest of four children and grew up in a family that valued education and music. His father was a businessman, and his mother was a pianist who taught him to play the piano at a young age. Liu's interest in music grew as he got older, and he began to study composition and piano at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. He was a talented student and won several awards for his compositions. In 1962, he graduated from the conservatory and was offered a scholarship to study at the Moscow Conservatory in Russia. While in Russia, Liu studied with some of the most prominent composers of the time, including Dmitri Shostakovich and Aram Khachaturian. He also had the opportunity to attend concerts and performances by some of the world's greatest musicians, which further inspired him to pursue a career in music. After completing his studies in Russia, Liu moved to the United States to continue his education. He enrolled at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with Vincent Persichetti and Peter Mennin. He also studied at Columbia University, where he earned a master's degree in music composition. Liu's early compositions were heavily influenced by his Chinese heritage, and he often incorporated traditional Chinese instruments and melodies into his works. One of his most famous early works is "The Yellow River Concerto," which was written in 1969 and is based on a Chinese folk song. The concerto was a huge success and has since become one of the most popular works in the Chinese classical music repertoire. In the 1970s, Liu began to experiment with different styles and techniques, incorporating elements of jazz and rock music into his compositions. He also began to write music for film and television, including the score for the 1979 film "The Last Wave." Throughout his career, Liu continued to push the boundaries of classical music, experimenting with new sounds and techniques. He was known for his use of unconventional instruments, such as the electric guitar and synthesizer, and his incorporation of electronic music into his works. Some of Liu's most famous works include "The Yellow River Piano Concerto," "The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto," and "The Silk Road Suite." His music has been performed by some of the world's greatest orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. In addition to his work as a composer, Liu was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Sydney in Australia. He was also a frequent guest lecturer and conductor at music festivals around the world. Liu's contributions to classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President George W. Bush in 2001, and he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2003. Sadly, Wen Jin Liu passed away on May 14, 2015, at the age of 75. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

More....