About the Compositions Symphonic Poem was commissioned by and dedicated to marimbist Eriko Daimo, who premiered the work at the Universal Marimba Festival in Belgium 2007. The composition revolves around interplay between Theme I and II, which represent two of the exact opposites, ie., good and evil, yin and yang, male and female. Though not strictly programatic, the piece does have some programatic ideas as suggested by the track listings. Theme I is based on a four note motive, E-F-A-B, which has inspired many of my compositions, such as my Five Musical Moments and Marimba Concerto with String Orchestra and Timpani. In Theme I, I placed the 4 notes horizontally into a chord that in my mind always wants to resolve but never does. Though a 'key' is never clearly presented here, I have always though of this section as being in a minor. Theme II starts off clearly in Eb Major with a character that is the complete opposite of Theme I. If Theme I represented 'evil', then Theme II would be 'good'. The music then progresses into a quasi-march and then a development section that is largely based on Theme I until the very end of the section which resolves into Theme II. The resolution is then interrupted by a transition into what I think of as the 'cantabile' section, which is based on a melody that combines materials from the two themes. The music then transforms into a battle between the two themes, beginning of which is marked by a 'trumpet battle-call', followed by a barbaric battle march in 2-bar metric sequences of 4/4 and 5/4. In this section, Theme I predominates. Following a pause of silence, Theme I returns briefly in its original form as in the beginning, but now transposed. The music then settles into a reminiscence of Theme II at peace, followed by a long and slow crescendo predominated at first by Theme I but is slowly taken over by Theme II. The music concludes with a final explosive triumph between the two themes, ending in A Major. While it is scored for solo marimba, this composition was titled Symphonic Poem because I always heard an orchestra in my mind while I composed it. Though it was divided into 8 tracks on this album, it is a one-movement work that should run between 30-40 minutes. The etudes on this album are part of my project to compose a cycle of 24 of such works, one in each chromatic key. Despite the title of “etude”, these pieces are not mere technical exercises - each of them are short musical moments of their own. Etudes in d minor, c# minor and D Major were composed in 2008 and premiered by myself at the 8th International Marimba Festival in Chiapas, Mexico. Though it was not my original intention to compose them as a set, perhaps because I wrote them all in the same week, these three pieces work quite well together as a three movement Etude Fantasy. Etude in d minor is more lyrical in tone; Etude in c# minor explores the dark and dramatic side of the marimba; and Etude in D major is a dance with a slightly demonic underlying tone. Etude in e minor is dedicated to Edward Aldwell, my theory/Bach teacher during my studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. He was a man of few words, but all of them were important. His teachings were always witty and extremely intelligent. During one of our discussions about music, and knowing that I have always had self-doubt about my own compositions, he told me, "Don't be afraid of how other people judge your music. Just write whatever comes to your heart." That, coming from one of my most respected musicians in the world, all of a sudden sparked something in my mind, and I just sat down and wrote this etude. Compositionally, this piece is very simple, but it is one of my most honest works. Edward Aldwell passed away in 2006. Musical Moment No. 5 - Romance is the fifth of a set of five Musical Moments written during my studies at the Curtis Institute of Music. All five Musical Moments are based on the same four note motive. Originally written for string orchestra, I later transcribed this piece for solo marimba. About the Artist "... [Pius Cheung] surmounts the contrapuntal hurdles and offers a stylish, deeply expressive interpretation [of the Goldberg Variations] notable for its clear voicing, eloquent phrasing and wide range of color and dynamics." - New York Times “Tuneful, neo-Romantic yet technically difficult, [Pius Cheung’s Études] not only showcased Mr. Cheung’s mastery of his instrument but also demonstrated his considerable skill and promise as a composer in his own right – one who writes the kind of music people will want to hear.” - The Washington Times “ Absolutely Incredible!” - PAS Percussive Notes Magazine Chinese-Canadian marimbist Pius Cheung won First Prize in the 2008 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. At the Auditions, he was also awarded the Miriam Brody Aronson Award, the Brownville Concert Series Prize (NE), the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation Award for an engagement in Europe, the Embassy Series Prize (DC), the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center Prize, and the Usedom (Germany) Music Festival Prize. Highlights of his performances include concerts at the 8th International Marimba Festival in Mexico, Percussive Arts Society International Convention 2009, Usedomer Music Festival in Germany, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Terrace Theater at Kennedy Center and Zankel Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. As one of today's most promising marimbist and composer, Mr. Cheung has captivated audiences with performances of compositions by contemporary composers, his own compositions, and arrangements of the classics, most notably Bach’s Goldberg Variations. His debut album of the Goldberg Variations is the first and only recording of the work on marimba. The album has received critical acclaim and has aired on CBC Radio in Canada and National Public Radio in the U.S. Mr. Cheung made his U.S. concerto debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center in 2003, as winner of the orchestra’s concerto competition. In prior seasons, he has appeared as soloist with the British Columbia Chamber Orchestra and the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, and given performances at Jordan Hall in Boston, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Edmonton Recital Society, Kennedy Center, Stratsford Summer Music Festival, Bucks County Performing Arts Center, the V Festival Internacional de Marimbistas, and Zeltsman Marimba Festival. Additionally, Mr. Cheung has presented concerts and masterclasses in some of the world's well known music institutes, including Amsterdam Conservatory, Paris Conservatory, Lyon Conservatory, Curtis Institute of Music, Boston Conservatory, Universities of Michigan, South Florida, Central Florida, Illinois and Boston. As a composer, Mr. Cheung won First Prize in the Classical Marimba League’s 2007 Composition Competition for his Three Etudes, part of a cycle of Twenty-Four Etudes which he is currently working on. He has written numerous other works for the marimba including a Marimba Concerto with String Orchestra and Timpani, a set of Five Musical Moments, Sonata No. 1 "Vitanata", Symphonic Poem for solo marimba, two Ballades and a collection of smaller pieces including Etudes, Nocturnes and Preludes. His compositions have been recorded by renowned marimbists such as Nancy Zeltsman and Katarzyna Mycka, and chosen as repertoire for international marimba competitions such as the Universal Marimba Competition in Belgium 2008 and Southern California Marimba Competition 2009. Mr. Cheung is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vic Firth endorser.