a page of algae /
bytes of duYun's other /
[de-classical contemped sound]
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“electrifying… an attractive score … “ “cutting-edge…to whom the term ‘young composer’ and ‘the pianist’ can hardly do justice, †(New York Times)
“ineffably quaking… stirs a scene†(La Presse, Montréal)
“...reconciles savageness and quietness ..." (Volkeskrant, Amsterdam)
"...the strongest impression made yet, a political statement against oppression and violence" (De Rode Leeuw, Amsterdam)
“…one senses the exceptional ear, exploration and the results are impeccably powerful†(Le Devoir, Montréal)
Du Yun’s written compositions have been performed across Northern America, Europe, Mexico, Japan and China, broadcasted on Radio-Shanghai, Radio-Canada, Radio Canada Internationale (RCI), Espace Musique 100.7 FM, FBi 94.5 (Australia), Centre Acanthes, Gaudeamus, Art of the States (www.artofthestates.org), SinoVision (US), WFMT, WCKR and l’Union Européene de Radio-Télévision.
Among the ensembles and orchestras who have performed Du Yun's music are, but not limited to, Radio Chamber Orchestra of The Netherlands, Nouvel Ensemble Moderne of Canada, le Decadanse of France, Nueva MusÃca of Mexico, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai New Music Ensemble, Bang-On-a-Can, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Oberlin Orchestra, North/South Consonance Chamber Orhcestra and her long-time collaborator, International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE).
She has been awarded the grants, prizes, and the fellowships from Chamber Music America Commissioning, the Fromm Foundation, 2008 Commissioning Music/USA, Jerome Foundation, ASCAP, American Music Center, Greenwall Foundation, Shanghai New Music Foundation, New York Trumpet Festival, Meet the Composer, audience award of the Montréal International Forum of 2004, and the solo composition award of the British Bass Guild.
Aside from composing notated music for concert halls, Du Yun’s music also spans from writing for art shows, experimental theatres, dance, to improvising/performing actively at avant-garde venues on the amplified/processed Chinese zither (zheng), piano, laptop, and with her own voice. Her approach to music, regardless its formation, has always aimed to be ultimately visceral; corporeality stripped-down from spirituality. She continues to explore the definition of genre-defying. Recently signed with Tag Team Records as a songwriter and singer, her first LP in the genre of indie music/electronica is currently in the making and will be released in both US and China.
Du Yun’s classical compositions can be heard on labels such as Wugui (Beijing), Shanghai Classical Music, ATMA Classique, and Focus (to be released).
Born and raised in Shanghai, China, Du Yun is currently based in New York City. She is an alumna of the Shanghai Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory (B.M), and Harvard University (M.A; PhD). Recently she has joined the composition faculty of SUNY-Purchase.
Du Yun is published by Boosey & Hawkes, as part of the B&H Emerging Composer Program.
