Classical Californians: Christopher Tin

Andy Wilkinson

Composer Christopher Tin is our Classical Californian this week, with a playlist that shows his interest in the intersections of classical music with other genres and styles – whether it be some jazzy Bernstein, or world music-influenced Ennio Morricone. There’s also music by Aaron Copland, Joby Talbot, John Adams, and a familiar Puccini aria that’s been ‘on repeat’ lately. Plus a piece by Tin that went viral and has won him a lot of fans in East Africa!

He starts with two works by Leonard Bernstein, first the “Cool Fugue” from the Symphonic Dances of West Side Story… Click the play button to hear his introduction!

Keeping to the world of dance, it’s a Bernstein “Waltz” next, from his Divertimento…

Then, one of the less-frequently played movements from Rodeo by Aaron Copland, the “Corral Nocturne”

The work that made “writing a ballet” go onto Christopher Tin’s bucket list: a movement from Joby Talbot’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland…

Christopher Tin has been listening to Puccini’s Turandot a lot these days…

The story behind one of Christopher Tin’s popular works for orchestra and chorus, “Waloyo Yamoni”

The classic use of native flutes, drums and voices coming together with the orchestra in Ennio Morricone’s “On Earth as It Is in Heaven” from his soundtrack to The Mission…

And a nod to MTT with a performance of him conducting John Adams’ Short Ride in a Fast Machine.