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Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer
Despite his original training as a civil engineer, Chou Wen-Chung came to America in 1946 to pursue music. He became a protégé of Edgard Varèse and spent several decades teaching, composing, and advancing modern concepts in contemporary compositions. Incorporating the teachings of his mentor, yet retaining his own identity, Chou is one of the few composers to successfully integrate images and ideas from both Eastern and Western culture. His unique synthesis of the two cultures has challenged the American musical community to recognize and celebrate cultural differences, setting Chou apart in contemporary American music as an exemplary of the Chinese musical idiom. His founding of the Center for United States-China Arts Exchange has furthered his exploration of cross-cultural pollination.

This book examines the composer's life and music, including biographic material, an in-depth cultural and musical analysis of his works, and receptions of his music. An assessment of Chou's unique contribution to contemporary musical synthesis, a hallmark in twentieth-century music, draws a direct link between his cross-cultural approach to composition and his family history and upbringing. His quest for an original style by widening his musical and cultural experiences - including consulting ancient Chinese sources on music and philosophy - helped to solidify his place in the musical patchwork of contemporary America. Also drawing a comparison between Chou's approach to musical synthesis and that of his Chinese colleagues, author Peter Chang's discussion generates interest in cross-cultural studies in contemporary music, promoting multicultural awareness in America and abroad, and enabling readers to understand different reactions to the Western impact on Chinese music and culture. The book's appendixes list Chou's compositions and recordings, and a chronology of performances.
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Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer
Despite his original training as a civil engineer, Chou Wen-Chung came to America in 1946 to pursue music. He became a protégé of Edgard Varèse and spent several decades teaching, composing, and advancing modern concepts in contemporary compositions. Incorporating the teachings of his mentor, yet retaining his own identity, Chou is one of the few composers to successfully integrate images and ideas from both Eastern and Western culture. His unique synthesis of the two cultures has challenged the American musical community to recognize and celebrate cultural differences, setting Chou apart in contemporary American music as an exemplary of the Chinese musical idiom. His founding of the Center for United States-China Arts Exchange has furthered his exploration of cross-cultural pollination.

This book examines the composer's life and music, including biographic material, an in-depth cultural and musical analysis of his works, and receptions of his music. An assessment of Chou's unique contribution to contemporary musical synthesis, a hallmark in twentieth-century music, draws a direct link between his cross-cultural approach to composition and his family history and upbringing. His quest for an original style by widening his musical and cultural experiences - including consulting ancient Chinese sources on music and philosophy - helped to solidify his place in the musical patchwork of contemporary America. Also drawing a comparison between Chou's approach to musical synthesis and that of his Chinese colleagues, author Peter Chang's discussion generates interest in cross-cultural studies in contemporary music, promoting multicultural awareness in America and abroad, and enabling readers to understand different reactions to the Western impact on Chinese music and culture. The book's appendixes list Chou's compositions and recordings, and a chronology of performances.
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Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer

Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer

by Peter M. Chang
Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer

Chou Wen-Chung: The Life and Work of a Contemporary Chinese-Born American Composer

by Peter M. Chang

Overview

Despite his original training as a civil engineer, Chou Wen-Chung came to America in 1946 to pursue music. He became a protégé of Edgard Varèse and spent several decades teaching, composing, and advancing modern concepts in contemporary compositions. Incorporating the teachings of his mentor, yet retaining his own identity, Chou is one of the few composers to successfully integrate images and ideas from both Eastern and Western culture. His unique synthesis of the two cultures has challenged the American musical community to recognize and celebrate cultural differences, setting Chou apart in contemporary American music as an exemplary of the Chinese musical idiom. His founding of the Center for United States-China Arts Exchange has furthered his exploration of cross-cultural pollination.

This book examines the composer's life and music, including biographic material, an in-depth cultural and musical analysis of his works, and receptions of his music. An assessment of Chou's unique contribution to contemporary musical synthesis, a hallmark in twentieth-century music, draws a direct link between his cross-cultural approach to composition and his family history and upbringing. His quest for an original style by widening his musical and cultural experiences - including consulting ancient Chinese sources on music and philosophy - helped to solidify his place in the musical patchwork of contemporary America. Also drawing a comparison between Chou's approach to musical synthesis and that of his Chinese colleagues, author Peter Chang's discussion generates interest in cross-cultural studies in contemporary music, promoting multicultural awareness in America and abroad, and enabling readers to understand different reactions to the Western impact on Chinese music and culture. The book's appendixes list Chou's compositions and recordings, and a chronology of performances.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780810852969
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date: 02/09/2006
Series: Composers of North America , #25
Pages: 264
Product dimensions: 6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Peter M. Chang is Associate Professor of music at Northeastern Illinois University, where he teaches music history and world music.

Table of Contents

Part 1 List of Illustrations Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Prologue Chapter 3 Chapter 2. A Biographic Sketch of Chou Wen-Chung Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Chou's Works of the 1940s and 1950s Chapter 5 Chapter 4. Chou's Works of the 1960s Chapter 6 Chapter 5. Chou's Works of the 1980s and 1990s Chapter 7 Chapter 6. The Reception of Chou's Works Chapter 8 Chapter 7. Background of Chinese Approaches to Musical Synthesis Chapter 9 Chapter 8. Epilogue Part 10 Appendix A: List of Chou Wen-Chung's Works Part 11 Appendix B: Discography of Chou Wen-Chung's Works Part 12 Appendix C: Performance Chronology of And the Fallen Petals Part 13 Bibliography Part 14 Index Part 15 About the Author
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