Tsz Long (Fish) Yu is one of this season’s Composer Fellows. His new work titled The Breath of Spring will have it’s world premiere on February 27 at Intimate & Immersive: The Five Senses. Read the following blog and Q&A to learn about Fish and his new piece.
About Fish Yu
Tsz Long (Fish) Yu, a Toronto-based composer originally from Hong Kong holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition & Electronic Music from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Yu finished his Master of Music degree at the University of Toronto with a full scholarship under The Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme, specializing in Music Technology & Digital Media. Presently, he is undertaking his Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in Music Composition under the mentorship of Gary Kulesha and Christos Hatzis. Yu’s compositions premiered and broadcasted globally and his works exhibit a rich tapestry of musical exploration. Notably, ‘Please Don’t Open’ for Trombone and Electronics earned recognition at the 67th International Rostrum of Composers in 2021 and was Recommended in the Composers Under 30 category. Winning the Hong Kong Composers’ Guild’s Music New Generation 2020 and being commissioned for Music New Generation 2022, Yu’s accolades extend to ‘Torrent’ for Flute and Electronics, which secured the third prize at The Young Composers Competition of Isidora Žebeljan International Festival 2021 and selected to the ICMC 2023. Yu’s artistic breadth extends to collaborations with Toronto-based percussion group KöNG Duo, presenting ‘Frolic’ for Mallet Station, Marimba, Electronics, Cantonese speech and Video, captivating audiences across North America.
Q&A with Fish Yu
ABOUT FISH YU’S NEW PIECE
HPO: Tell us a little bit about your piece. What inspired you? Is there a story behind the music?
FISH TZS LONG YU: The Breath of Spring is composed for chamber orchestra and electronics, reflecting my experiences as a newcomer to Canada and my deep appreciation for the changing seasons. When I arrived in Toronto in 2021, I experienced a true winter for the first time—snow-covered landscapes, icy streets, and the distinct sounds of wind cutting through the city. These sensations left a strong impression on me and became the inspiration for this piece.
I was also influenced by Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5, which beautifully captures the stillness of winter and the joy of spring’s return. The Breath of Spring explores the transition from winter to spring, depicting how ice melts, water flows again, and life returns to nature. The electronics blend natural and urban sounds, merging city noise with the voice of nature to create a vivid picture of this seasonal shift. Ultimately, this piece is a celebration of renewal, warmth, and hope.
ABOUT COMPOSING
HPO: Is this your first time composing for full orchestra?
FISH: No, this is my second time composing for orchestra and electronics, but it is my first time working with a professional orchestra in Canada. This experience has been both exciting and challenging, as I’ve had the opportunity to refine my orchestration while exploring how electronic sounds and textures can enhance the overall soundscape.
ABOUT COMPOSER FELLOWSHIP
HPO: How has your experience been working with the HPO? What aspects of your fellowship have you particularly enjoyed so far?
FISH: My experience with the HPO has been incredibly enriching—not only in terms of composing music but also in gaining a deeper understanding of how an orchestra operates behind the scenes. I’ve learned so much about the collaboration between different departments, from artistic planning to production and administration, and it’s inspiring to see the dedication and hard work that goes into every performance.
This fellowship has also reinforced the importance of connecting with the audience—not just through my music, but by sharing my artistic vision, creative interests, and personal experiences. Engaging with listeners in this way has deepened my appreciation for the role of a composer within the broader musical community.
HPO: Has anything about your composer fellowship surprised you?
FISH: One thing that has stood out is the ensemble’s openness to Canadian new music. Seeing how the musicians and conductors approach new works with such curiosity and dedication has been truly inspiring. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised by how naturally electronic and pre-recorded elements integrate into an orchestral setting—it has encouraged me to continue exploring this fusion in my compositions.
MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS
HPO: Who are some orchestral composers that have inspired you and your taste and style in this genre?
FISH: From the Romantic period, Finnish composer Jean Sibelius has been one of my greatest inspirations. His music strikes a unique balance between stillness, emotion, and beauty, and the way he evokes landscapes and changing seasons through orchestral writing has deepened my passion for orchestral music.
In the 21st century, I have been strongly influenced by Japanese composer Takashi Yoshimatsu. His ability to fuse diverse styles—incorporating elements of birdsong, rock, jazz, and dance into his orchestral works—has greatly inspired me. His approach has encouraged me to experiment with blending different musical styles in my own compositions, creating a rich and dynamic sound world.
HPO: How about a non-orchestral artist that inspires you?
FISH: I draw a lot of inspiration from electronic and multimedia artists. One example is Ryuichi Sakamoto, whose ability to merge acoustic and electronic sounds has deeply influenced my thinking. His approach to sound design and subtle, expressive textures resonates with my interest in combining urban and natural soundscapes in my compositions.
Don’t miss the world premiere of The Breath of Spring by Fish Yu on February 27!
Intimate & Immersive: The Five Senses
Thursday, February 27 at 7:30pm
The Cotton Factory
James Kahane, Conductor
Josef Petric, Accordion
OPTICKS, Multidisciplinary Artist
- Abigail Richardson-Schulte, Bloom
- *Tsz Long (Fish) Yu, The Breath of Spring
- Linda Catlin Smith, Gold Leaf
- Violeta Cruz, Vire Vole
*HPO Composer Fellow 2024-2025