Chinary Ung is an esteemed Cambodian-American composer, whose emotive and richly textured compositions bridge Western classical music and the musical traditions of Southeast Asia. Born on November 24, 1942, in Takeo, Cambodia, Ung was initially trained in the violin, but his prodigious talent soon expanded to embrace a wide range of musical disciplines. He traveled to the United States to further his education, earning degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and Columbia University. His unique musical voice reflects a synthesis of cultural influences, incorporating traditional Cambodian musical idioms with avant-garde and contemporary classical techniques.

Ung rose to prominence in the 1980s after winning the highly coveted Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition in 1989 for his work "Inner Voices," making him the first composer of Asian heritage to receive this honor. His career has been marked by a deep commitment to preserving and integrating Cambodian music culture, particularly in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime's devastating impact on the arts. His work often emphasizes the human voice, notably in pieces such as "Singing Inside Aura," where the mingling of vocalization and instrumental sound creates an ethereal experience. Chinary Ung's contributions to music have been celebrated through the release of various volumes of his music, including "Music of Chinary Ung, Volumes 1-3," and his influential composition "Seven Mirrors" for solo piano, which explores the reflective and transformative qualities of sound.

Genres

Oriental Classical

Latest Release

Chinary Ung: Singing Inside Aura

Chinary Ung•

Boston Modern Orchestra Project•

Gil Rose

Ep - 5 Tracks - Released October 1, 2015