Raymond Yiu
Encyclopedia
Raymond Yiu born 1973; is a composer, conductor, jazz pianist and music writer.
, he now lives in London
. He went to England
in 1990 and started piano lessons at the age of four. He began writing music as a teenager, and took up composing again while he was studying at Imperial College. As a composer, Yiu is mostly self-taught and received informal consultations from several composers including Julian Anderson
, Lukas Foss
, David Matthews
, David Sawer
and Graham Williams. He is the recipient of spnm 2003 George Butterworth Award, and is currently represented by Sound and Music's New Voices scheme.
at the Bridgehampton Music Festival 2001. Three of his works have been shortlisted by the spnm: Tranced Summer-Night, Tranced and Calendar of Tolerable Inventions from Around the World, which was performed by Lontano
in 2002, and was subsequently broadcast by BBC Radio 3
. It was also chosen by Sir Harrison Birtwistle for performance at the 2003 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
with the London Sinfonietta
. Tranced was performed by the Northern Sinfonia
at the 2003 Bath Festival
and was presented as a dance piece at the Österreichisches Theatermuseum, Vienna
, with choreography by Bernd Bienert.
Beyond the Glass, performed and recorded for broadcast by the BBC Singers
, was nominated for the BASCA British Composer Awards 2004. A Whorl of Knowings Dim and Bright was premièred by Andrew Watts at the Cheltenham Music Festival
2004. Night Shanghai, premièred by Lontano in 2005 in London, has been performed by groups including Concorde Ensemble, Chroma and Ensemble 10/10.
, The Original Chinese Conjuror, with a libretto by Lee Warren, was one of the six projects chosen for development out of the 200-plus proposals. Although it was not selected as one of the three projects to be fully developed following a workshop performance of a selection of scenes in 2003, it attracted the attention of various opera companies, and it was eventually commissioned by Aldeburgh Almeida Opera (with the support of Genesis Foundation) for the 2006 Aldeburgh Festival
and the Almeida Opera Season.
Subtitled A Musical Diversion Suggested by the Lives of Chung Ling Soo, The Original Chinese Conjuror was based on the real life story of William Ellsworth Robinson, a.k.a. Chung Ling Soo
, It was an experiment to combine different theatrical protocols into an integrated whole. It consists of twelve scenes, and scored for five singers and a band of six instrumentalists. All six performances during its initial run at the Aldeburgh Festival and Almeida Theatre
were sold out.
as part of the 2008 Panufnik Young Composer Scheme. Maomao Yü, a quintet scored for piano and four traditional Chinese instruments - erhu
(二胡), pipa
(琵琶
), yangqin
(揚琴) and guzheng
(古箏) - was commissioned by LSO UBS Soundscapes, and premiered by Lang Lang (pianist)
and the Silk String Quartet with the composer conducting in April 2009. His second Celebrating English Song commission, "Dead Letters", was premiered in July 2010, and "The Earth and Every Common Sight", for soprano and piano, won the Tracey Chadwell Memorial Prize 2010.
He is currently undertaking a doctorate under the supervision of Julian Anderson
at Guildhall School of Music and Drama
in London.
, was written for and premiered by Lontano. It won the chamber category of the BASCA British Composer Awards 2010.
Biography
Born in Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, he now lives in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He went to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1990 and started piano lessons at the age of four. He began writing music as a teenager, and took up composing again while he was studying at Imperial College. As a composer, Yiu is mostly self-taught and received informal consultations from several composers including Julian Anderson
Julian Anderson
Julian Anderson is a British composer and teacher of composition.-Biography:Anderson studied at Westminster School, then with John Lambert at the Royal College of Music, with Alexander Goehr at Cambridge University, privately with Tristan Murail in Paris, and on courses given by Olivier Messiaen,...
, Lukas Foss
Lukas Foss
Lukas Foss was a German-born American composer, conductor, and pianist.-Music career:He was born Lukas Fuchs in Berlin, Germany in 1922. His father was the philosopher and scholar Martin Fuchs...
, David Matthews
David Matthews (composer)
David Matthews is an English composer of mainly orchestral, chamber, vocal and piano works.- Life :He was born in London into a family that was 'not especially' musical; the desire to compose did not manifest itself until he was sixteen, and for a time he and his younger brother Colin Matthews,...
, David Sawer
David Sawer
David Sawer is a British composer of opera and choral, orchestral and chamber music.-Biography:Sawer was born in Stockport, England. He studied music at the University of York where he began composing for contemporary music-theatre pieces. He continued his studies with Mauricio Kagel in Cologne...
and Graham Williams. He is the recipient of spnm 2003 George Butterworth Award, and is currently represented by Sound and Music's New Voices scheme.
1998 to 2006
Distance of the Moon, scored for eleven solo strings, was conducted by Lukas FossLukas Foss
Lukas Foss was a German-born American composer, conductor, and pianist.-Music career:He was born Lukas Fuchs in Berlin, Germany in 1922. His father was the philosopher and scholar Martin Fuchs...
at the Bridgehampton Music Festival 2001. Three of his works have been shortlisted by the spnm: Tranced Summer-Night, Tranced and Calendar of Tolerable Inventions from Around the World, which was performed by Lontano
Odaline de la Martinez
Odaline de la Martinez is a Cuban-American composer and conductor, currently residing in the UK. She is the artistic director of , a London-based contemporary music ensemble which she co-founded in 1976 with New Zealander flautist , and was the first woman to conduct at the BBC Promenade Concerts ...
in 2002, and was subsequently broadcast by BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
. It was also chosen by Sir Harrison Birtwistle for performance at the 2003 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
The Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival is held in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It has a repertoire of cutting-edge jazz, orchestral, choral and electroacoustic performances, along with film, dance and music theatre...
with the London Sinfonietta
London Sinfonietta
The London Sinfonietta is an English chamber orchestra founded in 1968 and based in London. The ensemble specialises in contemporary music and works across a wide range of genres, performing modern classics alongside world premieres, and includes music by electronica artists as well as folk and...
. Tranced was performed by the Northern Sinfonia
Northern Sinfonia
The Northern Sinfonia is a British chamber orchestra, based initially in Newcastle upon Tyne, and currently in Gateshead. For the first 46 years of its history, the orchestra gave the bulk of its concerts at the City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2004, the orchestra has been resident at The...
at the 2003 Bath Festival
Bath International Music Festival
The Bath International Music Festival, also known as the Bath Music Fest, is held each summer in Bath, South West England. Inaugurated in 1948, the festival includes many genres such as orchestral, contemporary jazz, folk and electronica...
and was presented as a dance piece at the Österreichisches Theatermuseum, Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, with choreography by Bernd Bienert.
Beyond the Glass, performed and recorded for broadcast by the BBC Singers
BBC Singers
The BBC Singers are the professional chamber choir of the BBC. As one of six BBC Performing Groups, the 24-voiced choir has been in existence for more than 80 years. The BBC Singers have commissioned and premiered works by the leading composers of the past century, including Benjamin Britten, Sir...
, was nominated for the BASCA British Composer Awards 2004. A Whorl of Knowings Dim and Bright was premièred by Andrew Watts at the Cheltenham Music Festival
Cheltenham Music Festival
The Cheltenham Music Festival is one of the oldest music festivals in Britain, held annually in Cheltenham in June/July since 1945. The festival is renowned for premieres of contemporary music, hosting over 250 music premieres as of July 2004....
2004. Night Shanghai, premièred by Lontano in 2005 in London, has been performed by groups including Concorde Ensemble, Chroma and Ensemble 10/10.
2006 - The Original Chinese Conjuror
It began life as part of the Genesis Opera Project 2 (GOP2), supported by the Genesis FoundationGenesis Foundation
The Genesis Foundation is a non profit organization that gives education to disadvantaged children. Genesis accomplishes its mission by providing grants to nonprofit organizations in Colombia, and in Latino communities of New York, DC and Florida that are addressing the education needs of these...
, The Original Chinese Conjuror, with a libretto by Lee Warren, was one of the six projects chosen for development out of the 200-plus proposals. Although it was not selected as one of the three projects to be fully developed following a workshop performance of a selection of scenes in 2003, it attracted the attention of various opera companies, and it was eventually commissioned by Aldeburgh Almeida Opera (with the support of Genesis Foundation) for the 2006 Aldeburgh Festival
Aldeburgh Festival
The Aldeburgh Festival is an English arts festival devoted mainly to classical music. It takes place each June in the Aldeburgh area of Suffolk, centred on the main concert hall at Snape Maltings...
and the Almeida Opera Season.
Subtitled A Musical Diversion Suggested by the Lives of Chung Ling Soo, The Original Chinese Conjuror was based on the real life story of William Ellsworth Robinson, a.k.a. Chung Ling Soo
Chung Ling Soo
Chung Ling Soo was the stage name of the American magician William Ellsworth Robinson who is mostly remembered today for his tragic death after a bullet catch trick went wrong.- Biography :...
, It was an experiment to combine different theatrical protocols into an integrated whole. It consists of twelve scenes, and scored for five singers and a band of six instrumentalists. All six performances during its initial run at the Aldeburgh Festival and Almeida Theatre
Almeida Theatre
The Almeida Theatre, opened in 1980, is a 325 seat studio theatre with an international reputation which takes its name from the street in which it is located, off Upper Street, in the London Borough of Islington. The theatre produces a diverse range of drama and holds an annual summer festival of...
were sold out.
2008 to Present
2008 saw the premières of Faerie Tales, a Celebrating English Song commission, and Xocolatl, written for the London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony Orchestra
The London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
as part of the 2008 Panufnik Young Composer Scheme. Maomao Yü, a quintet scored for piano and four traditional Chinese instruments - erhu
Erhu
The erhu is a two-stringed bowed musical instrument, more specifically a spike fiddle, which may also be called a "southern fiddle", and sometimes known in the Western world as the "Chinese violin" or a "Chinese two-stringed fiddle". It is used as a solo instrument as well as in small ensembles...
(二胡), pipa
Pipa
The pipa is a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument, belonging to the plucked category of instruments . Sometimes called the Chinese lute, the instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body with a varying number of frets ranging from 12–26...
(琵琶
Pipa
The pipa is a four-stringed Chinese musical instrument, belonging to the plucked category of instruments . Sometimes called the Chinese lute, the instrument has a pear-shaped wooden body with a varying number of frets ranging from 12–26...
), yangqin
Yangqin
The trapezoidal yangqin is a Chinese hammered dulcimer, originally from Middle East and Persia . It used to be written with the characters 洋琴 , but over time the first character changed to 揚 , which means "acclaimed". It is also spelled yang quin or yang ch'in...
(揚琴) and guzheng
Guzheng
The guzheng or "gu zheng", also called zheng is a Chinese plucked zither. It has 18-23 or more strings and movable bridges....
(古箏) - was commissioned by LSO UBS Soundscapes, and premiered by Lang Lang (pianist)
Lang Lang (pianist)
Lang Lang , born June 14, 1982, in Shenyang, Liaoning, China, is a Chinese concert pianist, currently residing in New York, who has performed with leading orchestras in Europe, the United States and his native China. He is increasingly well known around the world for his concert performances,...
and the Silk String Quartet with the composer conducting in April 2009. His second Celebrating English Song commission, "Dead Letters", was premiered in July 2010, and "The Earth and Every Common Sight", for soprano and piano, won the Tracey Chadwell Memorial Prize 2010.
He is currently undertaking a doctorate under the supervision of Julian Anderson
Julian Anderson
Julian Anderson is a British composer and teacher of composition.-Biography:Anderson studied at Westminster School, then with John Lambert at the Royal College of Music, with Alexander Goehr at Cambridge University, privately with Tristan Murail in Paris, and on courses given by Olivier Messiaen,...
at Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London.
BASCA British Composer Awards 2010
Northwest Wind, a quintet for flute, clarinet, harp, viola and double bass to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
, was written for and premiered by Lontano. It won the chamber category of the BASCA British Composer Awards 2010.
Orchestral
- Xocolatl (2008) for symphony orchestra
- Tranced (1999) for symphony orchestra
Ensemble
- Night Shanghai (2005) for six players
- Distance of the Moon (2000–01) for eleven solo strings
Chamber
- Oslo - Hommage à Lukas Foss (2011) for string quintet
- Jieshi (2011) for qin and string quartet
- Tubae Fori (2010) for two trumpets, horn, trombone and tuba
- Suite from "The Original Chinese Conjuror" (2010) for clarinet, accordion, piano, violin and double bass
- Oslo (2010) for hanghang, bass clarinet, viola and cello
- Northwest Wind (2010) for flute, clarinet, harp, viola, double bass - winner of the BASCA - winner of the BASCA British Composer Awards 2010 chamber category
- Yi (2010) for string quartet
- Maomao Yü (2009) for piano, erhu, pipa, yangqin and guzheng
- Jewelled Elephant Syndrome (2006) for clarinet, cello and piano
- Eyes to See Otherwise (2003) for string trio
- Istori Paraleloak (2002) for saxophone quartet
- Calendar of Tolerable Inventions from Around the World (2001-) for wind quintet
- Tranced Summer-Night (1998–99) for string quartet
Choral
- The Timeless Way of Cities (2011) for three mixed choruses a cappella
- Mielo (2011) for female chorus a cappella
- Beyond the Glass (2003) for SATB a cappella - nominated for the BASCA British Composer Awards 2004 choral category
Vocal
- Simplex Munditiis (2011) for counter tenor, baritone and piano
- Sonnet (2011) for baritone and piano
- Dead Letters (2010) for tenor and piano
- The Earth and Every Common Sight (2010) for soprano and piano - winner of the 2010 Tracey Chadwell Memorial Prize
- My Fatal Plurality (2010) for tenor, baritone and string quartet
- Faerie Tales (2008) for counter tenor, tenor and piano
- A Whorl of Knowings Dim and Bright (2004) for counter tenor solo
- Forget-Me-Not (2003) for high voice and piano
Instrumental
- Elegiac Fragments (2011) for viola solo
- Black Wings (2008) for celesta or piano
- on voit passer des torses (2005) for trumpet Bb and piano (published by Faber MusicFaber MusicFaber Music is a British sheet music publisher best known for contemporary classical music. It also publishes music tutor books, and in 2005 acquired popular music publisher International Music Publications....
in "Fingerprints - Trumpet") - En la Confitería Ideal (2005) for trumpet Bb and piano (published by Stainer & BellStainer & BellStainer & Bell Limited is a British publisher of classical sheet music and books, based in London. Stainer, founded in 1907, publish the works of a number of significant twentieth century composers, including Charles Villiers Stanford, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Herbert Howells...
in "The Light Touch, Book II") - … as the sun rose, as the day sank (2005) for trumpet Bb and piano (published by Stainer & BellStainer & BellStainer & Bell Limited is a British publisher of classical sheet music and books, based in London. Stainer, founded in 1907, publish the works of a number of significant twentieth century composers, including Charles Villiers Stanford, Gustav Holst, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Herbert Howells...
in "The Light Touch, Book I") - podskok (2002) for piano (published by ABRSM in "Spectrum 4")
Stage Works
- Elegiac Fragments (2011) – Incidental Music to Transport Production of Elegy
- A Midsummer Night's Dream (2009) – Incidental Music
- The Original Chinese Conjuror, a Musical Diversion Suggested by the Lives of Chung Ling Soo (2003–06)
External links
- Raymond Yiu Official Website
- Maomao Yü - Lang Lang and Silk String Quartet gave the world premiere in a concert titled "Dragon Songs", conducted by the composer
Articles
- Secluded Orchid in Jieshi Mode - Dimsum, 4 June 2011
- Award Winning Composer Raymond Yiu - Nee Hao, 20 May 2011
- Arts Happenings: Raymond Yiu awarded British Composers Award - RTHK4 Fine Music Magazine, January 2011
- Northwest Wind - Dimsum, 4 December 2010
- 港人揚威英國古典樂壇 - 東方日報, 02 December 2010
- What did a real conjuror think of The Original Chinese Conjuror? - Jon Robinson, The Guardian, 5 July 2006
- Conjuring up opera magic at Aldeburgh - Ivan Hewett, The Daily Telegraph, 8 June 2006
- How not to catch a bullet - Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 9 June 2006
Reviews
- Nicholas Mulroy at Tardebigge Church - Christopher Morley (Birmingham Post, 30 July 2010)
- A new soundtrack to Shakespeare at the Guildhall School - Michael White (The Telegraph, 5 December 2009)
- The Original Chinese Conjuror - Andrew Clements (The Guardian, 17 June 2006)
- It's the magic that does the trick - Ivan Hewett (The Daily Telegraph, 19 June 2006)
- The Original Chinese Conjuror - Robert Maycock (The Independent, 22 June 2006)
- Mozart stands up for the sweatshop boy - Anthony Holden (The Observer, 9 July 2006)
- Ensemble 10/10 – Celebrating the Year of the Ox - Glyn Môn Hughes (Classical Source)
Radio
- The Choir - BBC Radio 3, 9 October 2011
- British Composer Awards 2010 - BBC Radio 3, 1 December 2010
- 今日專題：專訪英國作曲家獎得主姚恩豪 - RTHK4, 08 December 2010
- Pre-Hear: Calendar of Tolerable Inventions from Around the World - BBC Radio 3, 30 August 2008
- Music Matters: The Original Chinese Conjuror - BBC Radio 3, 11 June 2006
- Pre-Hear: Beyond the Glass - BBC Radio 3, 3 September 2005
- Hear and Now - BBC Radio 3, 16 November 2002
Writings
- Renaissance Man: a Portrait of Lukas Foss – Tempo magazine, July 2002 issue, p. 15 – 32
- Lukas Foss - LSO Panufnik Young Composer Scheme 2008 Blog
- Soapbox: Elizabeth Maconchy - Sound and Music
- Richard Baker - LSO Panufnik Young Composer Scheme 2008 Blog