Yang SONG 宋杨, a native of Inner Mongolia, China, has a rich background in musicology and composition. Her academic journey commenced with a bachelor's degree in musicology from Inner Mongolia University, laying the foundation for her exploration of the intricacies of music.
Driven by a passion for composition, Yang pursued a master's degree in composition theory at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, a pivotal period from 2009 to 2012 that further honed her artistic skills. Subsequently, she delved into the realm of composition at the Central Conservatory of Music as a doctoral candidate under the guidance of Professor Guoping Jia, successfully completing her doctorate in 2018.
To broaden her horizons and refine her craft, Yang SONG ventured to Germany in 2017 to attend Professor Johannes Schöllhorn's Konzertexamen class at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, culminating in her graduation in February 2019. Demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning, she participated in the "Cursus de Composition et d’Informatique Musicale 2020/21" at IRCAM Paris, led by Thierry De Mey. Presently, Yang SONG holds the position of a post-doctoral researcher at the Central Conservatory of Music, contributing her expertise to the institution that played a pivotal role in her academic journey. Yang's career and life focus are now in Europe， her diverse educational background and international experiences underscore her dedication to pushing the boundaries of musical exploration and innovation.
" She is clearly very inventive and technically accomplished. Her music is emotionally expressive, aesthetically refined, and well-organized. She knows how to cooperate with musicians, not merely giving them instructions but always being ready to learn from them. Every new piece she creates unfolds into a unique sound world of its own. While her works draw inspiration from traditional music, they transcend simple imitation. Although each of her works possesses a distinct sound, they collectively exhibit a remarkable unity. Firstly, her compositions showcase a profound interest in timbre and texture, often introducing new sounds that set her music apart. As listeners, we are truly uplifted by the sonic landscapes she constructs. Secondly, a consistent theme in her work is the exploration of different simultaneous layers, a form of 'multi-music,' adding significant depth to her compositions. These additional layers, whether in performance or within the music itself, contribute to the richness of her works. Thirdly, she skillfully integrates electronic sounds with live acoustic elements, treating electronic elements not as mere toys but as powerful tools that can enhance and transfigure her materials. While melody may play a subordinate role in her music, it still adds a captivating spice to her scores, contributing to their overall richness." (Frank Kouwenhoven, 2022)
Recently Yang SONG got the scholarship offered by the German Study Center in Venice for the year 2024. In 2022, her projects secured Neustart Kultur scholarships from Deutscher Musikfond und Deutscher Musikrat. The previous year, in 2020, her chamber opera "the Envoy" clinched the 1st prize at the Zhejiang Conservatory Chamber Opera Composition Competition in China. Further recognition followed in 2019 when her ensemble piece "Chant de l'océan" earned the 2nd Prize of the Franz-Josef-Reinl-Stiftung "Reinl-Preis 2019" in Austria. Additionally, her orchestral composition "Déjà-vu," selected at the 11th Saarbrücker Komponistenwerkstatt, won the prestigious Théodore-Gouvy-Preis. Her achievements extend internationally as well. In 2018, she was selected for the Gyeonggi Korean Orchestra International Musical Work Contest and secured the international Goethe-Preis at the "Asian Composers Showcase 2018" in South Korea. The year prior, in 2017, she was honored with the 3rd prize in the Vareler Composition Prize in Germany. Earlier successes include receiving the first place in the 2015 Singapore Ding Yi Music Company's Composition Prize and the 2014 Voice of China Composition Competition. Her dedication to her craft has been further supported by scholarships, including the China Scholarship Council (CSC) award in 2015 and a DAAD scholarship in 2018. These accolades underscore her outstanding talent and contributions to the world of composition on both national and international stages.
Yang SONG's compositions have garnered international acclaim and have been performed by esteemed ensembles around the world. Notable performers include the German Radio Philharmonie, Ensemble intercontemporain, Ensemble Modern, Arditti Quartet , Percussions de Strasbourg, Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart, Ensemble Rechecher, United Instruments of Lucilin, Trio Estatico , Kairos-Quartett, Hand Werk, Ensemble Resilience, C Barré Ensemble, Ensemble hartmann21, Zone Expérimentale, TIMF Ensemble, Juilliard School New Ensemble., Israel Contemporary Players, Ding Yi Ensemble, and Nieuw Ensemble Netherlands.
Yang SONG got commissions from the German Radio Philharmonic, Ensemble intercontemporain, IRCAM Centre Pompidou, Percussions de Strasbourg, United Instruments of Lucilin, Oluzayo Festival in Germany/South Africa, Gyeonggi Korean Orchestra, aDevantgarde Festival, Karl Amadeus Hartmann Foundation, Tongyeong Music Festival, Juilliard School Focus! Festival, Shanghai International Arts Festival in China, and China National Art Foundation.
Yang SONG's compositions have been featured in renowned festivals such as Luzern Festival, Gaudeamus Festival in the Netherlands, Beijing Modern Music Festival in China, Darmstadt Internationale Ferienkurse für neue Musik in Germany, and Seoul International Composition Festival “RE-CREATE” in South Korea, showcasing the international reach and impact of her musical creations.
