Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

China

Birth

:

December 6, 1955 in Shanghai, China

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Bright Sheng is a Chinese-American composer and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 6, 1955, in Shanghai, China, Sheng grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a composer and conductor, and his mother was a singer. Sheng began studying music at a young age and showed a natural talent for the piano. In 1978, Sheng moved to the United States to pursue his musical education. He enrolled at Queens College in New York City, where he studied composition with George Perle and Hugo Weisgall. He later earned a doctorate in composition from Columbia University, where he studied with Chou Wen-chung. Sheng's music is heavily influenced by his Chinese heritage, and he often incorporates traditional Chinese instruments and melodies into his compositions. He has also been influenced by Western classical music, particularly the works of composers such as Stravinsky, Bartok, and Debussy. One of Sheng's most famous works is his opera "The Song of Majnun," which premiered in 1992 at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina. The opera is based on a Persian love story and features a blend of Western and Eastern musical elements. It has been performed around the world and has received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to opera. Another notable work by Sheng is his "China Dreams" symphony, which was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2007. The symphony is a tribute to Sheng's homeland and features traditional Chinese instruments such as the pipa and erhu. It has been performed by orchestras around the world and has been praised for its unique blend of Eastern and Western musical traditions. In addition to his work as a composer, Sheng is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, and the China National Symphony Orchestra. Sheng has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1999, he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant," for his innovative work as a composer. He has also been awarded the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition and the Elise L. Stoeger Prize from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Overall, Bright Sheng is a highly respected composer and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His innovative approach to blending Eastern and Western musical traditions has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated following of fans and admirers.

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