Meet Arthur (Peiyao) Wang | Composer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arthur (Peiyao) Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arthur (Peiyao), why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Firstly, as a classical composer and music producer, what attracts me most is that I can build a brand new sound world by writing down a bunch of notes on the staff. Like all other kinds of arts, painting, sculpture, and writing a novel, I would like to see my music could give the audience enough space to imagine. I hope they can connect my music with their experience, which is exciting. Without a creative career, I won’t build this connection between art and someone else. Also, during the process of composing, I understand myself even more profound, exploring various perspectives of myself I didn’t notice before. With the development of technology, recording sound is way easier than four decades earlier, which makes our composing process more convenient and gives us even more sound elements to catch in this world. Last but not least, Collaborating with different artists is an inspiring experience to be a composer. Through working with others, I compose this piece of music for a specific person or group, which teaches me how to figure out a balance between different perspectives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a composer, I write music to create various emotional journeys that navigate boundaries between genre and medium. I enjoy it so much that I can connect strongly with my audience to music and leave them enough space to imagine. What appeals to me the most is that each person reacts differently after listening to the same piece of music. I remember this June, my work called ‘Ocean’s Song’ for chamber ensemble was premiered by American Modern Ensemble in Saratoga Springs, NY. After the concert, this elegant lady came to me and told me my beautiful music made her have this lofty mountain scene in her brain. The exciting part is that the intention of this piece is initially based on my imagination of the ocean, blue, deep, and mysterious. However, the magic of music gives a different fantasy to someone else. As for challenges, composing classical music requires the composer to understand this particular music language very profoundly. We study from great traditions, like Bach, Beethoven, Ravel and Shostakovich.
This summer, my piece ‘Ballet Mécanique’ for chamber orchestra and film was selected as a finalist of ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. My piece ‘Prelude a la Kandinsky’ for orchestra was awarded Global Music Award Bronze Meal. Those recognization will encourage me to work hard and write more music with good quality.
Recently, I am writing a new fanfare for Michigan State University Symphony Orchestra, a piece for the fantastic Jasper String Quartet, a Toccata for violin and piano for my friend, great violinist, YuanMiao Li. This December, my work called ‘Song for Bill’ will be premiered by Eastman Jazz Lab Band with director Rich Thompson and MSU Jazz Orchestra II with director Anthony Stanco. I look forward to working with all the great musicians and enjoying music-making.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I want to take my friend to Hollywood Bowl to enjoy an outdoor concert. This summer, I went there to watch several films live in concert, like the famous movie about Mozart’s life called ‘Amadeus’, the new version of the legendary musical ‘West Side Story.’ It was so thrilling to listen to great composer Leonard Bernstein’s music and see the film director, Steven Spielberg, on the stage at the end. Also, the classical concerts are brilliant. I enjoyed one of the greatest violinists, Joshua Bell, playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and spectacular fireworks with his ‘1812 Overture.’ The general vibe there is relaxing and casual. People can have their picnic when they watch the show. It’s more like a party than sitting in a concert hall and dressing formally.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Firstly, thanks to my parents and family, who have supported me for a long time without any excuse. They teach me how to be patient and try my best to pursue my artistic dream. My mother always gave me mental support when I was depressed and experience failure. No matter how bad the situation is, a phone call with her will solve all my problems. My father is more low-key and restricted. He always wants me to achieve the best level I can approach. But I can feel his love and strongly believe behind his silence. Secondly, I feel grateful that I have the best composition teachers in my life. When I did my first master’s degree at Eastman School of Music, I studied composition with great jazz composer, arranger and educator Bill Dobbins. He is an encyclopedia of both classical music and jazz music. We analyzed and studied Shostakovich’s first symphony in every detail. He wants me to keep patience because digesting great music needs time. Not only does he teach me composition, but he also teaches me how to be a great human being, trying to find all the truth in our life.
After two years at Eastman, I had a precious opportunity to work with the great Chinese-American composer Zhou Tian. He’s another hero of mine. His profound understanding of classical music always influences my music-making. He revised my score precisely because it’s essential for the classical composer to transfer information correctly and efficiently to the performers.
Thirdly, thanks to famous composer Jeff Beal, the composer of House of Cards. He selected me to stay in his Agoura Hills house for one year, which is massive support for preparing for my career in LA. I won’t forget his generosity and kindness.

Website: https://peiyaowangmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthur0329/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008710159231

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0TPxt4DIFZ7OxGfY0p3oXg