麻豆约拍

In 2019, Daniel was selected from hundreds of entrants as one of the winners in the Upper Junior category of the annual 麻豆约拍 Young Composer Competition. His winning piece, Melodie, was performed by Aurora Orchestra and conducted by Duncan Ward, as part of the 麻豆约拍 Proms Inspire Concert at the 麻豆约拍鈥檚 Maida Vale Studios on 13 August 2019.

鈥淚 finished this piece last summer. It was written for an ensemble of players from my school. Originally conceived as a piano concertino, the direction shifted as it developed into a chamber piece in which the various instruments are foregrounded in turn. It consists of contrasting episodes, opening with a distant trumpet call, which is then mimicked by the rest of the ensemble. This initial serenity is followed by a turbulent, violent passage in which virtuosic piano flourishes are juxtaposed with outbursts from the ensemble before the energy diminishes, allowing the opening tranquillity to return near the end. The title is, of course, partly ironic 鈥� avid listeners will notice a distinct lack of memorable tunes 鈥� although I think that the simplicity of the title captures the stillness and calm that dominate the piece.鈥�