Composer Phil Young

Phil Young 杨智华

Phil Young (杨智华) composes music in various forms, including symphonic, chamber, electronic, vocal, and film. His ability of fusing Chinese and western elements in his music enriches his originality.  Young’s ballet music “Middle Kingdom Ancient China” for Ballet San Jose and the Chinese Performing Artists of America is one of many works well received by the audiences and the media. His music has been performed at music institutions and venues such as SF Conservatory of Music, UNC at Chapel Hill, the Royal Northern College of Music and King’s College in England, Vladimir Music Expedition Festival and Mariinsky Theater Concert Hall in Russia, Mas i Mas in Barcelona,  Herbst Theater in San Francisco, Shanghai Symphony Concert Hall Auditorium, and by music ensembles including Seattle Symphony, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley Orchestra, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, San Francisco Conservatory of Music Orchestra, South Bay Chamber Orchestra, Toledo International Youth Orchestra, Thuringer Symphony of Germany, Russian National Orchestra Wind Quintet, Symphony Orchestra of Beijing Song and Dance Troupe of China, National Chinese Orchestra Taiwan and Hong Kong Harp Chamber. His music for Violin and Piano “Reverie” has been chosen in the publication “A Century of Violin Works by Chinese Composers” by Shanghai Music Publishing House. His commissioned piano solo piece “Reflection on a Tang Poem” was premiered by pianist Dr.  Clara Yang in England (King’s College) and Spain (Mas i Mas in Barcelona) in Oct 2014. The music is included in Yang”s CD album “Folding Time” published by Albany Records and has been released worldwide. The CD won the Global Music Awards gold medal and the “Best of 2016” of America Record Guide. “Reflection on a Tang Poem” has been included in the publication “Selection of Chinese Original Piano Works in the New Era” by the People’s Music Publishing House in China. His recent composition for cello and piano “Consolation” (for all the people Suffering from the Pandemic) has been included in the KDFC Classical Music Station’s programing.

A graduate and a scholarship recipient of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Phil Young studied composition with professor Elinor Armer. In 1985, Mr. Young won the Conservatory Composition Competition for his symphonic work “Fantasy for Orchestra” which was then premiered at the Herbst Theater in San Francisco. The premier concert including an interview with the composer was broadcasted live by the KQED radio station. His composition for violin and piano “Lament” was selected as a finalist of the international composition competition Città di Udine in Italy 2014. His harp music “Suzhou River Fantasie” has been chosen as 2018 Fourth Hong Kong Harp International Competition Repertoire.

Prior to his study at the San Francisco Conservatory, Phil Young studied with professor Luo Zhongrong in China and worked as a resident composer for the Symphony Orchestra of the Beijing Song and Dance Troupe (now known as the Beijing Symphony Orchestra). His ballet music “Sea Waves ” and “Fire Dance”  written in the 80s for the renowned choreographer Jia Zuoguang won the Music Awards at the China National Dance Competition, and “Sea Waves” has been selected as the Dance Classics of the Chinese Nation in the 20th Century.

Phil Young currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and has been involved with various local performing groups including as Music Director of the Chinese Performing Artists of America and Conductor of CPAA Youth Chamber Orchestra.

Contact: phil@philyoungmusic.com