Zhou

Transcontinental Railroad with Composer Zhou Tian & Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes

Transcontinental Railroad with Composer Zhou Tian & Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes

Composer Zhou Tian: 2 years ago, I was delighted to have been invited to compose a new work commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad’s completion in May 2019. When I learned that 13 American orchestras — many of which are located along the route of the Railroad — would join forces together to commission and premiere this new work across the country, I was truly honored, as I knew the significant cultural impact this project would entail.

As a Chinese-born composer who immigrated to this country, educated at the nation’s top music schools, and now serving at one of its finest institutions, I was moved to create this work to tell a musical story, to celebrate human perseverance, and to pay tribute to my own cultural heritage.