ABOUT
In 2008, Leung was awarded a half scholarship to study at the University of Hong Kong, majoring in Medical Engineering. In his second year of study, he occasionally joined the University choir which served as the enlightenment of his music journey. Being inspired deeply, he started learning and practicing music for around 6 hours a day. Two years later, he acquired his first ABRSM Grade 5 and Grade 8 certificates in both violin and music theory.
In 2010, Leung realized that no matter how hard he practices, it is far too late to start a career becoming a violinist. Still wishing to embark a music career, Leung started learning composition, which he fell more in love day by day. In 2014, Leung quit his full-time job and went to study a full-time Advance Diploma (composition) at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
Leung’s composition is distinctive in its manner of integrating contrasting musical materials in the same work. Materials range from tonal, expressive melodies to brutal contemporary noise. Such a compositional approach echoes Leung’s philosophical belief that the world is united but also diversified. If the most contradicting musical materials can collaborate perfectly in a same piece of music, human, regardless of his background or culture, should be able to coexist in the same world without discrimination, prejudice, and war. Such a message is especially important in this era and Leung believes that music is one of the most effective platforms to deliver the message.
Retaining this belief, Leung's music has won a number of prizes and awards in the past years, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Prize 2017.
With the support of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Music and Dance Fund, Leung is currently enjoying the sights and sounds in London while studying Master of Music (composition) in the Royal Academy of Music, London.
(July 2017)
EDUCATION
Royal Academy of Music, London 2016 - 2018
Master of Music - Major in Composition
Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts 2014 - 2016
Advance Diploma - Major in Composition and Electronic Music
The University of Hong Kong 2008 - 2012
Bachelor Degree - Double major in Medical Engineering, Music
PRIZE
Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize 2017 Winners, 2017
- Held by the Royal Philharmonic Society, UK
6th China - ASEAN Music Week Composition Competition Third prize, 2017
- Held by the Guangxi Arts University
Chengdu - China 12th Sun River Prize First prize, 2016
Students’ New Music Composition Competition
- Held by the Sichuan Conservatory of Music
New Generation Composition Competition 2015 Second prize, 2015
- Held by the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild
"...I admired Austin for his faith in what he had created, politely making sure all through the workshops that the piece developed as he intended. That too is a musical skill."
Article: Regent Hall (21st Jan, 2017)
Source: Judith Weir Blog
Review on Tranquil
Judith Weir, Master of the Queen's Music, United Kingdom
"The work of Leung, featured a superb interweaving of Chinese Melodies with those of Edward Elgar, received a rapturous applause…”
Article: Musical talent takes to wider stage in concert
tuned for Vienna tour 2017 (19th Feb, 2017)
Source: South China Morning Post, Hong Kong
Review on A Chinese in London
Mr. Oliver Chou
"Instead of simply experimenting new timbre, the piece gives a kind of in-depth heartbreaking emotion...”
(Translated by Austin Leung)
Article: Sun-River Prize: Let the notes on paper sound! (2016)
Source: sanwen8.cn
Review on Sigh
Prof. Weijei Gao, Professor of Chinese Music Academy
"The piece has tremendous color, beautiful textures, evocative passages…”
Ablaze Records (USA)
Review on Sailing, Along the Heart of Remembrance (2015)
