Asian composers reflect on careers in western classical music
The composer and performer Du Yun at a Composer Portrait concert devoted to her work at the Miller Theater in New York, Nov. 15, 2018. For all their shared experiences, each of these artists have a unique story of struggles and triumphs. Caitlin Ochs/The New York Times.
by Joshua Barone
(NYT NEWS SERVICE)
.- Asian composers who write in Western classical musical forms, like symphonies and operas, tend to have a few things in common. Many learned European styles from an early age, and finished their studies at conservatories there or in the United States. And many later found themselves relegated to programming ghettos like Lunar New Year concerts. (One recent study found that works by Asian composers make up only about 2% of American orchestral performances planned for the coming season.)