Podcasts · Episode

Theresa Wong

Program: NoteWorthy
Aired: Monday, May 13, 2024
Hosted by Loki Karuna

Classical compositions, for the most part, are often well-planned, through-composed, and filled with complexities that can be dissected and explored through various tools of music theory. And then there are some works, like this one, that are a bit sparse, completely improvised, and free from the constraints of traditional aesthetics and practices. It takes a lot of courage and innovation to create these sorts of sounds, and there are countless composers living today that have dedicated themselves to doing just that. Hello – I'm Loki Karuna, and on this edition of Noteworthy I'd like for you to enjoy the very free sounds of composer Theresa Wong. 

Theresa was born in Schenectady, New York back in 1976, where she studied both piano and cello as an adolescent. After spending years studying Product Design and Graphic Design both in the US and in Europe, Theresa returned to music, focusing on the more experimental side of composition. This very experimental, fully improvised work doesn't have a traditional title, but it does showcase the degree to which Theresa thinks outside of the box, blending the various sounds of the cello into a single experience. 

Away from her cello, Theresa Wong has written for several professional ensembles, including Long Beach Opera, the Del Sol Quartet, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus. Her unapologetic dedication to an expanded approach to music continues to set her apart, earning her a spot among today's most Noteworthy. 

Noteworthy is a production of WDAV classical public radio.

Pictured: Theresa Wong by Andria Lo.

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