Amid the poised and traditional world of classical music, Chinese-American composer Tan Dun is something of a rock star.
He has composed symphonies and operas that have been performed in some of the world’s most renowned venues, from Milan’s La Scala Theatre to New York’s Metropolitan Opera House. He has also contributed the scores to six films, including 2000’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, as well as several experimental multimedia projects.
Such breadth has brought him great rewards, including Oscar, Grammy and Bafta awards, as well as the accolade of Composer of Year, bestowed by classical music magazine Musical America.
The Abu Dhabi Festival is next in line to showcase Tan’s evocative work, with the regional premiere of his latest orchestral piece Buddha Passion.
To be performed at Emirates Palace on Saturday and unfolding across six acts, the powerful score will aims to transmit some of the Buddha's concepts of love, forgiveness, sacrifice and salvation.
Conducted by Tan and featuring a large cast including Chinese soprano Lei Xu and tenor Yi Li, as well as Italy's Orchestra Filarmonica del teatro Comunale di Modena, expect an elegiac and shimmering musical backdrop featuring operatic vocals weaved with Buddhist chants and stories.
According to Tan, Buddha Passion is the ideal entry point into his oeuvre as it plays to his strengths.
"I feel this piece was much clearer and easier for me. I have grown as a composer in that I am much more focused on my storytelling,” he told Opera Wire.
“Buddha Passion is in six acts, six mini-operas, and six stories, very slim and clear. Quick and to the point. This kind of storytelling feels closer to stories told in film and less like those at an opera house. This is quite different for me from before.”
The work also marks the evolution of a fascinating journey stretching from the rice fields of Central China to the red carpets of Hollywood.
Tan's early years
Born in 1957 in a village near Changsha in the province of Hunan, Tan's early years were spent in relative comfort with his mother working as a doctor and his father employed at a food research institute.
That lifestyle was upended with Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966, and resulted in Tan's relocation to the nearby town of Huangjin in the early 1970s to work as a rice planter.
“Imagine … you were told to report to an office and made to swear to leave your family, to feed pigs, to plant rice, for your entire life,” he told The New York Times.
“I cried. How could I do this for my entire life? In fact, the required length of time depended on the purity of your thoughts.”
Tan’s stay proved to be relatively short lived after Zedong’s death in 1976 marked the end of the revolution.
Opportunity through tragedy
While music was strongly discouraged within the rice-planting communities, Tan learnt to play traditional Chinese string instruments with fellow residents and eventually joined an in-house ensemble.
But the transition from hobby to career came about through a tragic turn of events.
After several members of the Peking Opera drowned in a ferry accident, Tan was hired to work as the troupe's arranger and violinist.
The stint at Peking Opera proved successful and Tan gained the attention of Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music where he was accepted as a student in 1977.
Under the tutelage of composers such as Japan's Toru Takemitsu and Germany's Hans Werner Henze, he developed an expansive knowledge of eastern and western classical music, which he further explored pursuing a doctorate at New York's Columbia University.
Exposed to the works of experimental US composers such as Philip Glass and Meredith Monk, it was in New York that Tan began composing work fusing his signature mystic and abstract elements.
Settling in New York, Tan launched his international career through a series of contemporary operas.
In 1996 he composed Marco Polo, an abstract retelling of the 13th-century Venetian explorer's life, through eastern and western instruments such as the sitar, tabla, Tibetan horn and a string ensemble.
The cinematic quality of the work convinced Taiwanese director Ang Lee that Tan was the ideal composer to score his mystical martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Performed by a range of Chinese companies including the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and Shanghai National Orchestra, Tan's score featured numerous solo passages for cello played by Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
While the score's Oscar could have resulted in Tan focusing his efforts in the more lucrative world of Hollywood, he remained circumspect in his choice of film projects.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon remains his only Hollywood foray, with future scores composed for Chinese films including 2002's martial arts drama Hero and the 2006 period drama The Banquet.
Buddha Passion by Tan Dun will performed at Emirates Palace on Saturday at 8pm. Tickets, starting at Dh75, are available at abudhabifestival.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Match info:
Real Betis v Sevilla, 10.45pm (UAE)
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)
Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
MATCH INFO
Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE
Fixture and table
UAE finals day: Friday, April 13 at Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
- 3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
- 6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership – final standings
- Dubai Exiles
- Abu Dhabi Harlequins
- Jebel Ali Dragons
- Dubai Hurricanes
- Dubai Sports City Eagles
- Abu Dhabi Saracens
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Afghanistan fixtures
- v Australia, today
- v Sri Lanka, Tuesday
- v New Zealand, Saturday,
- v South Africa, June 15
- v England, June 18
- v India, June 22
- v Bangladesh, June 24
- v Pakistan, June 29
- v West Indies, July 4
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
