Su Lian Tan is an inspired and inspiring flutist and composer whose Autumn Lute-Song was commissioned for the Vermont Symphony’s autumn tour in 1995. Tan transforms the string orchestra into a giant lute; sometimes jangling or pointed, other times soothingly strummed. The flute is the voice in this extended ballade, singing and expressing poetry while coursing through landscape. Sometimes evoking the musical flavors of her native Malaysia, the textures, melodies, and harmonies combine in a fresh embodiment of European and Asian modalities. A. Douglas Biggs’ piano reduction provides a texture and atmosphere rendering the flute and piano version as a fully satisfying recital work. We welcome Su Lian Tan to Theodore Presser Company.

_______________________________________

Text from the scanned back cover:

Autumn Lute-Song
Su Lian Tan is an inspired and inspiring flutist and composer whose AUTUMN LUTE-SONG was commissioned for the Vermont Symphony’s autumn tour in 1995. Tan transforms the string orchestra into a giant lute; sometimes jangling or pointed, other times soothingly strummed. The flute is the voice in this extended ballade, singing and expressing poetry while coursing through landscape. Sometimes evoking the musical flavors of her native Malaysia, the textures, melodies, and harmonies combine in a fresh embodiment of European and Asian modalities. A. Douglas Biggs’ piano reduction provides a texture and atmosphere rendering the flute and piano version as a fully satisfying recital work.

 

SU LIAN TAN is a much sought-after flutist and composer. Her music has been described as:
“the stunner of the evening,” – Washington Post
“…refined, cultured composition… a must-own for flutists” – Fanfare Magazine
“it is simply gorgeous…so original” – Carol Wincenc

Ms. Tan has been commissioned by groups such as the Grammy-winning Takacs String Quartet, Da Capo Chamber Players, and the Vermont Symphony. The Arsis CD release “Music by Su Lian Tan” contains Jamaica’s Songs, written in collaboration with author Jamaica Kincaid. Her intermedia chamber opera Lotus Lives has been performed to great acclaim. Other commissioned works include a piano quintet for cellist Sophie Shao, and concerti for virtuosi Joe Burgstaller trumpet, and Darrett Adkins cellist. Another recording features the Jupiter String Quartet and Bruce Brubaker.

Making her first flute recordings at age 14, Tan has been featured in Flute Talk and has released a CD featuring her performances of new works dedicated to her, “Grand Theft and Other Felonies.” Carol Wincenc performs Autumn Lute- Song as a finale to this program.

Su Lian Tan is Professor of Music at Middlebury College. She gives master classes and guest lectures around the world and has received numerous accolades and citations for teaching as well as for her music, including awards from ASCAP and the Naumburg Foundation. She holds degrees from Trinity College, London (FTCL), Bennington College (BA), The Juilliard School (MM) and Princeton University (PhD).