Vivian Fung

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Vivian Fung (born 1975) is a JUNO Award-winning Canadian-born composer who writes music for orchestras, operas, quartets, and piano. Her compositions have been performed internationally.

Contents

Early life and education

Fung was born in Edmonton, Alberta. She began composition studies with Violet Archer and later studied with Narcis Bonet in Paris. She received her bachelor's degree, masters, and doctorate from The Juilliard School in New York City in 1996, 1997, and 2002, respectively. Her composition mentors included David Diamond and Robert Beaser, piano mentors included György Sándor and Ernesto Lejano, and conducting mentor was Miguel Harth-Beyoda.

Career

NPR calls Fung "one of today's most eclectic composers," [1] and The Philadelphia Inquirer said she has a "stunningly original compositional voice" [2] through her use of blending Western musical forms with musical ideas from many cultures, including Balinese and Javanese gamelan, and folk songs from minority regions of China.

Fung travels often, exploring the diverse cultures of North Vietnam, Spain, and Bali, Indonesia. In 2012, Fung traveled to Southwest China for ethno-musicological research to study minority music and cultures in the Yunnan province. It was a continuation of the research that previously inspired "Yunnan Folk Songs" (2011). The project was commissioned by Fulcrum Point New Music in Chicago with support from the MAP Fund. After the world premiere in March 2011 of Fung's work "Yunnan Folk Songs", The Chicago Tribune wrote, "'Yunnan Folk Songs' stood out ... [with] a winning rawness that went beyond exoticism." [3]

Fung has been the composer-in-residence of the Delaware Chamber Music Festival, the Music in the Loft chamber music series in Chicago, the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and the Billings Symphony. She also completed residencies at the MacDowell, Yaddo, and Banff arts colonies, as well as residencies at National Sawdust, Alba Music Festival Composition Program, New York State School Music Association, Mostly Modern Festival Institute, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, National Orchestra Institute + Festival, and Atlantic Center for the Arts.

In 2012, the Naxos Canadian Classics label released the world premiere recording of Fung's "Violin Concerto #1", her "Piano Concerto (Dreamscapes)", and "Glimpses" for prepared piano, with the Metropolis Ensemble conducted by Andrew Cyr, featuring violinist Kristin Lee, and pianist Conor Hanick. Several of her works have also been released commercially on the Telarc, Çedille, and Signpost labels. Fung's "Violin Concerto" received the 2013 JUNO Award for Classical Composition of the Year. [4]

Fung's "String Quartet No.3" was commissioned by the 11th Banff International String Quartet Competition (BISQC). It was performed by ten string quartets; the American group, the Dover Quartet, won first prize. [5] The Calgary Herald lauded the piece and referred to it as "Dark Journeys". As music critic Stephan Bonfield pointed out, the work is Fung's emotional response to the world conflict during that year, seen from the point of view of her own family's struggles. [6]

Awards

Fung has received a number of awards and grants, including the 2012 Simon Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, New York Foundation for the Arts’ Gregory Millard Fellowship, and from ASCAP, BMI, the American Music Center, the MAP Fund, Music Alive!, and the League of American Orchestras, American Composers Forum, and the Canada Council for the Arts.

Fung's "Violin Concerto" earned her the 2013 Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year. [7] [8]

Works

Orchestral

Large Ensembles

Chamber Music

Solo works

Choral/Vocal

Opera

Discography

AlbumLabelRelease DatePiece(s) IncludedAwards
Mary Elizabeth Bowden, untitled albumCedille Records2024Trumpet Concerto
Jasper String Quartet: Fung String QuartetsSono LuminusOctober 27, 2023String Quartet No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4
Jin Yin [79] Cedille RecordsFebruary 7, 2020Birdsong
Ensemble Made in Canada: Mosaïque [80] Canadian Music CentreJanuary 24, 2020Shifting LandscapesJUNO nomination for "Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber"
Notorious RBG in Song [81] Cedille RecordsJune 8, 2018Pot Roast à La RBG
Mary Kathleen Ernst: Keeping Time [82] Innova RecordsMarch 25, 2014Keeping Time
All-Fung CD: Dreamscapes [83] NAXOS Canadian ClassicsSeptember 25, 2012Dreamscapes; Violin Concerto; Glimpses2013 JUNO Award for "Classical Composition of the Year"
Billy Collins Suite [84] Cedille RecordsOctober 27, 2009Billy Collins Suite
Apparitions [85] Signpost RecordsOctober 24, 2008Chant from Glimpses
Ying Quartet: Dim Sum [86] Telarc RecordsJanuary 15, 2008Pizzicato
Composers in the Loft [87] Cedille RecordsJanuary 1, 2007Miniatures

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References

  1. ↑ McQuiston, Bob (November 13, 2012). "Classical Lost And Found: The Versatile Sound Of Vivian Fung". NPR.
  2. ↑ Dobrin, Peter (2018-03-26). "Vivian Fung piece premiered by Daedalus Quartet". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  3. ↑ Artner, Alan G. (24 March 2011). "Balancing act of complexity, accessibility for Fulcrum Point". Yunnan Folk Songs. Chicago Tribune.
  4. ↑ "Vivian Fung". The JUNO Awards. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
  5. ↑ "First Prize - Dover Quartet at BISCQ". Archived from the original on 2013-12-05. Retrieved 2013-11-10.
  6. ↑ Bonfield, Stephan. "Dark Journeys". String Quartet No.3. The Calgary Herald.[ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ Juno Award "Classical Composition of the Year" 2013 Archived 2013-02-21 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Matthew Parsons. "10 pieces by living Canadian composers that you will love". CBC Music, December 16, 2014
  9. ↑ "Parade". VivianFung. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  10. ↑ "Flute Concerto: Storm Within". VivianFung. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  11. ↑ "Prayer". VivianFung. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  12. ↑ "Trumpet Concerto". VivianFung. 2023-02-28. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  13. ↑ "A Child's Dream of Toys". VivianFung. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  14. ↑ "Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra". VivianFung. 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  15. ↑ "Earworms". VivianFung. 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  16. ↑ "Baroque Melting". VivianFung. 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  17. ↑ "Launch!". VivianFung. 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  18. ↑ "Biennale Snapshots". VivianFung. 2018-12-08. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  19. ↑ "Graffiti Mashup". VivianFung. 2018-12-08. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  20. ↑ "Violin Concerto No. 2: Of Snow and Ice". VivianFung. 2018-04-11. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  21. ↑ "Harp Concerto". VivianFung. 2014-05-29. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  22. ↑ "Aqua". VivianFung. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  23. ↑ "Dust Devils". VivianFung. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  24. ↑ "Violin Concerto No. 1". VivianFung. 2015-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  25. ↑ "Piano Concerto: Dreamscapes". VivianFung. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  26. ↑ "String Sinfonietta". VivianFung. 2023-04-27. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  27. ↑ "Pizzicato for String Orchestra". VivianFung. 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  28. ↑ "Indigenous Rites". VivianFung. 2013-11-06. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  29. ↑ "Gamelan Grunge – Mixed Ensemble". VivianFung. 2012-09-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  30. ↑ "Kreasi Mekanis Mainan – Mixed Ensemble". VivianFung. 2012-11-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  31. ↑ "Shaman Speaks for Clarinet or Saxophone Ensemble". VivianFung. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  32. ↑ "Down and Dirty". VivianFung. 2023-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  33. ↑ "Ominous Machine II". VivianFung. 2023-05-02. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  34. ↑ "Ominous Machine". VivianFung. 2023-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  35. ↑ "String Quartet No. 5: "Spiraling"". VivianFung. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  36. ↑ "Sparks". VivianFung. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  37. ↑ "Corona Morphs". VivianFung. 2023-07-17. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  38. ↑ "(Un)Wandering Souls". VivianFung. 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  39. ↑ "String Quartet No. 4: "Insects and Machines"". VivianFung. 2023-04-06. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  40. ↑ "Shifting Landscapes". VivianFung. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  41. ↑ "Clarinet Quintet: Frenetic Memories". VivianFung. 2018-12-08. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  42. ↑ "Bounce". VivianFung. 2016-12-14. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  43. ↑ "Twist". VivianFung. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  44. ↑ "The Voices Inside My Head". VivianFung. 2014-06-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  45. ↑ "String Quartet No. 3". VivianFung. 2021-02-23. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  46. ↑ "Birdsong". VivianFung. 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  47. ↑ "Javanese Court Song". VivianFung. 2011-05-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  48. ↑ "String Quartet No. 2". VivianFung. 2009-04-23. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  49. ↑ "Billy Collins Suite". VivianFung. 2007-01-09. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  50. ↑ "Miniatures". VivianFung. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  51. ↑ "Night Impressions for Traditional Chinese Instruments". VivianFung. 2005-11-05. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  52. ↑ "String Quartet No. 1". VivianFung. 2004-01-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  53. ↑ "Chanted Rituals". VivianFung. 2009-05-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  54. ↑ "Pizzicato". VivianFung. 2023-03-10. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  55. ↑ "Scherzo". VivianFung. 1998-10-01. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  56. ↑ "Rhapsody". VivianFung. 1995-07-05. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  57. ↑ "Sparkle". VivianFung. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  58. ↑ "Shimmer". VivianFung. 2022-03-26. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  59. ↑ "Apéritif for Solo Trumpet". VivianFung. 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  60. ↑ "The Ice Is Talking". VivianFung. 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  61. ↑ "Humanoid". VivianFung. 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  62. ↑ "Sketch". VivianFung. 2015-12-18. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  63. ↑ "Primitive Dance and Folksong – Piano". VivianFung. 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  64. ↑ "Keeping Time – Piano". VivianFung. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  65. ↑ "Glimpses – Piano". VivianFung. 2023-06-29. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  66. ↑ "Silhouettes – Erhu". VivianFung. 1997-03-12. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  67. ↑ "Pot Roast à La RBG". VivianFung. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  68. ↑ "Yunnan Folk Songs". VivianFung. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  69. ↑ "Recommendation". VivianFung. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  70. ↑ "Sanci Kuni". VivianFung. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  71. ↑ "Kecak Attack!". VivianFung. 2013-11-18. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  72. ↑ "Six Haiku". VivianFung. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  73. ↑ "Kecak!". VivianFung. 2004-04-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  74. ↑ "Songs of Childhood". VivianFung. 2021-06-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  75. ↑ "Night Songs". VivianFung. 1999-04-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  76. ↑ "Two Opera Scenes: Grover and Friends/ Alarm (2021)". VivianFung. 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  77. ↑ "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". VivianFung. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  78. ↑ "The Night Singer – Voice and Piano". VivianFung. 2004-10-07. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  79. ↑ "Jin Yin". Cedille Records. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  80. ↑ "Mosaïque". Canadian Music Centre. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  81. ↑ "Notorious RBG in Song | Classical Music". Cedille Records. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  82. ↑ "Keeping Time | Innova Recordings". www.innova.mu. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  83. ↑ "FUNG, Vivian: Piano Concerto, "Dreamscapes" / Viol.. - 8.573009 | Discover more releases from Naxos". www.naxos.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  84. ↑ "The Billy Collins Suite | Classical Music". Cedille Records. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  85. ↑ "Apparitions". VivianFung. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  86. ↑ "Dim Sum". VivianFung. 2009-04-21. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  87. ↑ "Composers in the Loft | Classical Music". Cedille Records. Retrieved 2023-07-20.

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