Hong Kong composer Man-Ching Donald Yu won  in the composition category of the Vienna International Music Competition with his composition “Expansion”.
The musical piece explores scientific phenomena through music, drawing parallels between scientific processes and musical expression. Yu’s composition featured intricate piano compositions that showcased the evolution from static solidity to dynamic fluidity and eventual ethereal dispersion. The composition is divided into three sections, each conveying the essence of transformation. The piece starts with a single pitch and gradually evolves, incorporating chromatic materials and canonic devices to build tension and complexity. The central part introduces sparse, contrasting elements before culminating in a powerful climax. Finally, the composition revisits familiar motifs, expanding into the higher registers to evoke a sense of transcendence and resolution.
Pianist Anna Heller will perform Yu’s work at the Musikverein Brahms Saal Wien on April 20th, 2024. The Vienna International Music Competition awarded Yu the First Great Award in recognition of his outstanding achievement.
The competition’s philosophy emphasizes artistic merit and stage presence over technical prowess, nurturing diverse talents across musical disciplines. Yu’s prize highlights the global reach of the competition, attracting musicians of all ages and nationalities. The competition fosters a community of artists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of musical innovation. The Vienna International Music Competition hopes that Yu and fellow laureates will continue to inspire audiences worldwide with their musical endeavors.
More info here…
Listen to Expansion here…