I-Fei Chen, Laura Koepke and Barry Crawford comprise Fredaissance.
The School of Music faculty ensemble, Fredaissance, will premiere a commissioned composition by award-winning Taiwanese composer Dr. Yu-Hui Chang.
Harvard University’s Fromm Music Foundation awarded a prestigious 2024 Commission Prize to Dr. Chang to compose for Fredaissance and will provide financial support for its world premiere. This is her second Fromm commission.
Fredaissance includes Associate Professor Barry Crawford (flute), Professor Laura Koepke (bassoon) and Staff Accompanist I-Fei Chen (piano/clarinet).
Chang expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with the Fredaissance trio, stating, "I find Fredaissance’s unique instrumentation an exciting challenge, and I’m quite inspired. I aim to highlight this ensemble’s sonic potential."
Mr. Crawford added, “I-Fei, Laura and I are honored to be the recipients of this Fromm-commissioned work by the acclaimed composer Yu-Hui Chang. We believe it will become a permanent part of the 21st century chamber music repertoire.”
A professor of composition at Brandeis University, Chang is an internationally acclaimed composer whose works have been performed across Europe, Asia and the United States. Her music is characterized by energy, precision, ingenious effects and vibrant colors – all in the quest of a deep connection with humanity.
Among her accolades are prominent awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship, Radcliffe Institute Fellowship and the Aaron Copland Award.
The Fromm Music Foundation’s commission represents one of the foundation’s key efforts to foster new music and bring contemporary works to a wider audience.
