A Chinese composer born July 31, 1971.
A pianist by training, Leilei Tian studied composition, obtaining a master’s degree at the Central Peking Conservatory (1988-1995). She completed her training with an advanced diploma (2001) at the Göteborg Conservatory, and by following summer classes at such great institutions as Darmstadt, Acanthes, Royaumont, as well as the composition and music IT course at Ircam (2002-2003).
Leilei Tian explores the potential of the tone-colours of different instruments and their combinations (Melting for guitar and vibraphone, 1998; Wu for instrumental ensemble, 1999) often employing slow tempi. She reflects on her origins, her culture (Zhan Zidou, 1998, Grand Prix at the Gaudeamus Competition), is interested in buddhism (Sâdhana for large orchestra, a work awarded the ISCM Prize in 2004) and in Asiatic vocal techniques with texts in Chinese or in a similar but invented language (Water Sleeve, 2001, state commission, for 8 voices).She also likes to contrast western and eastern instruments, as in Open secret (2009) for saxophone and traditional Chinese ensemble and Le discours d’une larme perdue (2012) for guitar and erhu. A composer hailed by her peers, Leilei Tian was in residence at the Villa Medici in 2012-2013.
