When Spring Comes by Heng Liu

“I started work on When Spring Comes in March 2020. Out of my window at that time, leaves began to sprout, flowers began to bloom, everything began to grow by degrees. That’s about spring, heralding a new beginning, peace and serenity, which people’s yearning for after a whole winter.” – Heng Liu

About the composer

Heng LIU is the principal percussionist of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra and executive director of China Percussion Association. He is also an artist of MEINL Percussion, MEINL Cymbals, Innovative Percussion, Marimba One, and Remo.

Education

Liu studied percussion from childhood with his father Yaguang LIU, professor of percussion at Xi ‘an Conservatory of Music. In 2005, Liu was admitted to the Central Conservatory of Music. He studied with professor Gang LIU and professor Biao LI successively and obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees. By the time he was 18, Liu had won the first prize in the National Youth Percussion Competition. Liu was a percussion jury of the Italian International Percussion Competition, where he also held master classes and special concerts. He also judges the annual International Network Percussion Competition and National Youth Percussion Competition.

Performance

Between 2017 to 2019, Liu embarked on his improvisation and interactive percussion concert “Give me one hour” tour. The tour hit many major Chinese cities including Tianqiao Art Center in Beijing, Shanghai Oriental Art Center, Xi ‘An concert hall, Shijiazhuang Center for the Performing Arts, etc. Liu performed entirely improvised sets based on interaction with the audience, bringing concertgoers a brand new musical experience.

As a percussionist, Liu has traveled to various music festivals around the world. These include: Italian International Percussion Competition and Festival, Greek International Percussion Competition and Festival, NCPA International Percussion Festival, Beijing International Electronic Music Festival, Beijing Modern Music Festival, Jazz Shanghai Music Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, MIDI Festival and so on.

Works

So far, Liu has published two albums: Percussion Visionary –Heng LIU Percussion Concert and DRUMS, an original album released by “Hei Chao” Duo with renowned drummer Yanchao LI. He also writes a personal column Heng LIU Said in music weekly.

Liu has created more than 30 works, including percussion ensemble piece “The General”, “Memory”, “Face2Face”, percussion and electronic music “Delay”, “Percumotion”, percussion solo “Rain the Blind Monk”, “Wild LEO “, “Poem” and many more. In 2016, his Chinese Traditional Percussion solo piece “Gazing on Mountain TAI” won the 1st prize of China Traditional Music Festival – CCOM ethnic Percussion works collection competition.

In 2019, Heng LIU won “Best Work Awards” and “Best All-round Percussionist” of 2019 Drummmer’s Ceremony.

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