b. 1981 || Website || SoundCloud
Zhou Tian is a Grammy-nominated composer who seeks to integrate influences from different cultures into his music. His pieces always have a clear sense of direction, but can turn in some unexpected, yet satisfying directions. I very much enjoy his melodic lines and jarring rhythms. As a Chinese-American immigrant, Zhou has a unique perspective that provides the very foundation that America is known for. This fusing of cultures can be heard very clearly in his music and is a wonderful characteristic that is distinct in defining his repetoire. I'm very excited to continue to follow his career and listen to wonderful music.
Transcend
The first work of his that I want to share is Transcend for Orchestra. As he mentions in the video, Transcend was a project that 13 orchestras joined together for to commission and perform for the 150th anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Zhou's pick for commissioning of this piece beautifully acts as a gentle rebuttal to the harsh history of the rairoad's creation. He draws from the Chinese and Irish worker's stories of being treated so horribly, while also using his own experinece of being an immigrant. Along with the historical aspect of the piece, Zhou also uses imagery like explosives and the flat plains that can be heard throughout the work.
Zhou on the writing and creation of Transcend
The premier of Transcend by the Reno Philharmonic on April 27th, 2019
Petals of Fire
The second piece of Zhou's that I wanted to highlight is Petals of Fire for Wind Symphony. On his website Petals of Fire is referred to as "a fierce and colorful rhapsody inspired by American artist Cy Twombley's 1989 painting of the same title". Zhou uses ideas from the Song Dynasty of his Chinese heritage as inspiration while with Twombley's ideas in this painting of a self portrait. He aspires to have the music dance and flicker much like that of an actual fire.
Petals of Fire by the University of Michigan Symphony Band
Zhou Tian beautifully integrates so much imagery, history, and personal heritage which gives each piece so much personality and individuality. Transcend and Petals of Fire are just two of his many pieces that showcase his ability and finesse. For more news and information on his music, be sure to check out his website and SoundCloud.
Zhou Tian News : 2019/2020 Season
- Commissioned by Chanticleer (Trade Winds)
- Commissioned for Shanghai Isaac Stern International Violin Competition
- Composer-In-Residence for the Shanghai Symphony
- Commissioned for a new wind ensemble piece to be premiered by Michigan State University Wind Ensemble
- Commissioned for a new syphony piece (Rise) played by the Erie Philharmonic
- "Artist of the Year" - Beijing Music Festival
- "Work Of Art", a PBS documentary on the creation of Transcend premiers October 2019
As a disclaimer in case anyone needs it:
I do not own any of the videos or information that you see in this blog post.
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