Categories
Contemporary American Cambodian

UNG, Chinary

Chinary Ung
Photo courtesy of UC San Diego

Born in Takeo, Nov 24, 1942

  • Chinary Ung is an American composer of Cambodian descent. Ung was first exposed to Western classical music in his late teens, after which he pursued pursued the art form formally.
    • Ung was one of the first graduates of the Ecole de Musique, Phnom Penh and received a degree in clarinet performance.
  • In 1964, Ung emigrated to the U.S. He received a DMA with distinction from Columbia University (1974), where his principal composition teacher was Chou Wen-chung.
  • Regarding his music, Ung has described it in the following way: “If East is yellow, and West is blue, then my music is green.” His compositions blend Asian aesthetics with contemporary classical techniques.1

Learn More
Biography via the composer’s website

Sources

  1. John Kays, “Ung, Chinary.” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed May 6, 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000042550.

Pieces