Jihe Benjamin Yu

Dear Judges and Professors of the Worlds Best Musicians,

Hello! My name is Benjamin Yu, and I am a student from China who currently studied at Westminster School in Simsbury, CT, USA. I am honored to participate in this competition. As a student composer, I have a solid foundation in music theory and a deep passion for romantic musical ideas.

I have a profound interest in piano works, concertos, and orchestral compositions (such as symphonies, symphonic poems, and overtures) from the Romantic era. I deeply admire the structural rigor and logical coherence of tonal music. Not only do I appreciate the sweetness of Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Saint-Saëns’ music, but I also understand the grandeur, technical brilliance, and sonic impact of works by Liszt, Ysaÿe, and Rachmaninoff. Additionally, I enjoy exploring the elegance of lesser-known composers such as Alkan, Medtner, and Vieuxtemps.

In my compositions, I strive to explore diverse harmonies and textures within Romanticism, embrace complex musical structures, and use expressive, romantic melodies to tell captivating stories.