W&M Music Department commissions new work by Lei Liang
On April 10, the Ewell Concert Series hosted Virginia Commonwealth University professor and internationally acclaimed pianist Yin Zheng (DMA Eastman) to an enthusiastic standing-room-only crowd. The program included works by Brahms, Debussy, and Prokofiev, marvellously played by Dr. Zheng. The highlight of the evening was the world premiere performance of "The Moon is Watching Us," by Lei Liang (PhD Harvard). Dr. Liang is a professor and chair of the renowned composition program at University of California San Diego. His works are widely performed, recorded, and have received numerous international awards.The Department of Music's Ewell Concert Series commissioned the new work, which has been published by Schott.
According to Professor Brian Hulse, Head of this year's Ewell Concert Series Committee, Liang is "widely regarded as one of the most important composers of his generation, a reputation that is growing rapidly." Said Hulse, "I don't know of a more talented and yet generous and kind person as Lei. It was such an honor to have [Liang and Zheng] at the College." During their time on campus, Liang and Zheng also gave master classes to William & Mary students, and Liang gave a public lecture entitled "Sculpting Sounds, Shaping Silences."
