James Wade

(IC2017 - Australia)

James Wade

(IC2017 – Australia)

James Wade‘s compositions frequently engage with nature, philosophy, life experience and other art disciplines. Themes relating to environment, identity and the nature of life feature prominently in his work. His focus in recent years has been the influence of Chinese philosophy and poetry on his work.

His music has been performed and broadcast around Australia and internationally by many ensembles including the Australian String Quartet, Sydney Dance Company, Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, the Melbourne, Tasmanian, New Zealand and Vancouver Symphony Orchestras. James has also worked with many Australian and New Zealand composers and conductors including Brenton Broadstock, Brett Dean, Stuart Greenbaum, Elliott Gyger, Matthew Hindson, Richard Mills, Paul Stanhope and Ken Young.

James was born in Melbourne and educated at the University of Melbourne, the University of British Columbia and the University of Sydney. He received a Bachelor of Arts in 2001, having studied philosophy, psychology and music history prior to turning his attention seriously towards music. In 2016 he completes his PhD in Music Composition at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. In addition to composing James has worked as lecturer and tutor and as a presenter and producer for ABC Classic FM nationally in Australia and 3MBS in Melbourne.

Welcome Rain on a Spring Night

This piece reflects on the poem Welcome Rain on a Spring Night written by Chinese poet Du Fu (712-770) in the Tang Dynasty.
The good rain knows its season,
When spring arrives, it brings life.
It follows the wind secretly into the night,
And moistens all things softly, without sound.
On the country road, the clouds are all black,
On a riverboat, a single fire bright.
At dawn one sees this place now red and wet,
The flowers are heavy in the brocade city.