The New Generation
A new generation of young composers are beginning to emerge in the Malaysian music scene. The inaugural HSBC Young Composers Workshop 2008 held at KLPac on 13 July 2008 was the first of its kind and an unprecedented effort to offer young composers a platform for their works to be showcased and workshopped.
The workshop brought together five young composers finalists and over ten other participants in the workshops, all of whom can consider this the official starting point of their composing careers. The works of Chow Jun Yan, Chow Jun Yi, Neo Nai Wen, Ng Shyh Poh and Tan Zi Hua were selected to be workshopped by a chamber ensemble comprising flutist Vincent Kok, oboist Yong How Keen and pianists Chee Su Yen, Joyce Ho and Lee Yin Hwa. Another entry by Jessica Cho was also read at the workshop.
Penang composer Tan Zi Hua took first prize with his composition Images of Wind II for flute, oboe and piano. His work was singled out by the Selection Panel for its fluency and practicality. Honorable Mention was awarded to Chin Hong Da for his entry Longing For Home for flute and piano.
At the inaugural KL Contemporary Music Festival 09 in Kuala Lumpur, Chow Jun Yan, Chow Jun Yi, Lee Chie Tsang and Neo Nai Wen were finalists in the Young Composers Competition performed by leading German group Ensemble Mosaik. Chow Jun Yi won first prize in the Malaysian Young Composer Award category, and second prize in the overall Goethe South East Asian Young Composer Award (the overall winner went to Juro Kim O Feliz from Philippines). Last year's winner Tan Zi Hua was given a special commission at the Festival, and presented his Under The Homotopic Silhouettes for quintet.
In 2011 Jessica Cho marked another milestone in the country's new music scene when she won 3rd Prize at the Asian Composers League 2011 Taiwan festival's Young Composers Competition with her work Five Little Pieces for Piano.
Read more about this topic: Malaysian Contemporary Music
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