Composer Ethan Hsu speaks with conductor Jacob Joyce at the Pittsburgh Symphony’s performance of the 17-year-old composer’s work at a Schooltime concert. Photo source: Pittsburgh Symphony Instagram, J Milteer photography.
In Monday’s (3/23) Kidsburgh (Pittsburgh), Kristine Sorenson writes, “Elementary and middle school students got to hear a world premiere by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on March 20, and the composer wasn’t much older than them. The PSO had put out a call for compositions from people living in Pennsylvania. Out of more than 100 works submitted, 17-year-old Ethan Hsu’s piece was selected. Ethan is from Philadelphia. He came to Pittsburgh to watch along with thousands of students from around our region. ‘I first started composing when I was around 10 or 11 years old. So really, I was actually about your age when I started,’ Hsu told the audience. ‘There are a lot of musical inspirations for me, especially the work of J.S. Bach and Beethoven,’ he explained…. ‘I play piano and cello … I also watch a lot of YouTube, so I saw a lot of music videos that got me into composing.’ PSO conductor Jacob Joyce praised Hsu’s piece and was glad the young composer could enjoy it in Pittsburgh…. Hsu currently plays with his high school orchestra, is a co-director of the Pitt Orchestra and is also in a pre-college program with the Juilliard School.”