BIOGRAPHY

Wenbin Lyu (he/him) is a Chinese composer and guitarist based in Cincinnati. His music blends contemporary Western techniques with ancient Oriental culture, drawing inspiration from birds, science, and video games. Characterized by a fast pace, bold sonorities, and rhythmic drive, his compositions aim to be both fun and relaxing. Continuously evolving as an artist, Lyu is committed to exploring new technologies, tools, and musical forms to expand the expressive possibilities of his music.

Lyu has received fellowships and recognitions from prestigious institutions and festivals, including the Britten Pears Young Artist Programme, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Tanglewood Music Center, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Atlantic Center for the Arts, I-Park Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, and the China National Symphony Orchestra.

Lyu has been commissioned by acclaimed ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, Sandbox Percussion, and the Akropolis Quintet, and his works have been featured at more than 80 music festivals and conferences. He has collaborated with numerous distinguished performers and groups, including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, Beijing Symphony, International Contemporary Ensemble, Capitol Quartet, Sinta Quartet, Del Sol Quartet, Icarus Quartet, Society for New Music, Tacet(i), Hub New Music, Hypercube, and others.

In recognition of his academic achievements, Lyu was awarded the China National Scholarship in 2016 and the Donald Martino Award for Excellence in Composition in 2020. He is also the recipient of an ASCAP Young Composer Award and five The American Prize awards.

Lyu holds degrees from the China Conservatory (BA), New England Conservatory (MM), and the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music (DMA). He has served on the faculty of Northern Kentucky University, Earlham College, Xavier University, and CCM.

(updated: 07/01/2025)

吕文彬（博士），旅美青年作曲家与吉他演奏家，出生于中国东北，先后毕业于中国音乐学院（师从施万春）、新英格兰音乐学院及辛辛那提音乐学院。他的音乐融合当代西方技法与东方文化，并从生态、科学与电子游戏中汲取灵感。作品以丰富的节奏、大胆的音色和鲜明的律动见长，并不断拓展声音的边界。

他的作品曾受邀在超过十五个国家、八十余个国际音乐节及重要舞台上演出，包括美国坦格尔伍德音乐节、鲍登国际音乐节、卡布里洛音乐节、国际计算机音乐大会及国家大剧院青年作曲家计划等，并由北京交响乐团、天津交响乐团、美国水牛城爱乐乐团、阿尔巴尼交响乐团等演出。吕文彬亦多次受世界知名乐团委约创作，包括第八黑鸟室内乐团（四度荣获格莱美奖）、沙盒打击乐团（格莱美奖提名）以及阿克罗波利斯五重奏（格莱美奖得主）等。

他曾获中国国家奖学金、美国唐纳德·马蒂诺杰出作曲奖、ASCAP青年作曲家奖、五项美国奖（The American Prize）、国际单簧管协会作曲比赛一等奖、中央音乐学院民族音乐节作曲比赛二等奖、韩国釜山作曲比赛特别奖，以及俄亥俄州艺术委员会艺术基金，并入围第四期国家大剧院青年作曲家计划（由谭利华执棒北京交响乐团于国家大剧院）。2019年起，他担任哈佛大学阿卡贝拉社团 HAcappella 驻团作曲。2018年入选中国国家交响乐团青年作曲家培养计划；2016年，其为两部 VR 电影创作的配乐在法国戛纳电影节展映。

吕文彬现居俄亥俄州辛辛那提，曾在辛辛那提音乐学院、北肯塔基大学、泽维尔大学及厄尔汉姆学院任教。除作曲外，他亦热衷于观鸟与平面艺术。

(更新于2025年8月15日)

3 words to describe my music

  1. FAST: I simply don't have the patience to write slow music. Even my slow music is fast. Maybe I’ll change in 5-10 years
  2. LOUD: people told me if you make your music loud, you get more applause, and I love attention
  3. RHYTHMIC: I don't know why, I might be influenced by all the pop diva songs

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  1. Three words to describe my music: fast, loud, and very rhythmic. But since 2024, I’ve also started writing slow and calm pieces.
  2. I’m fascinated by the idea of controlling unpredictability in instruments—for example, making slightly out-of-tune melodies by blowing on mouthpieces, reeds, or even making tunes on slide whistles. To me, it feels folk-song-like, and I love watching performers approach these tiny subtleties with such seriousness. Most of all, it makes people laugh, haha.
  3. My favorite instrument? Yes, it's the bass clarinet. I just love that booming, raw, and punchy sound.
  4. I didn’t realize this until now, but it seems my recent works all involve animals: Cow, Duck, Guinea Pig, Ostrich, Dog. I never planned it as a theme; I guess I just love animals. And my next piece? It’s going to be about Horses.
  5. A dedicated video game nerd with a collection of over 15 consoles, I believe my music has been deeply influenced by gaming, since people often say it sounds like a video game soundtrack. I really want to get a Switch 2, but I just don’t have the time to play anymore… Ah, I miss the old days of gaming all night long. Can’t quite pull that off after hitting 30.
  6. I like all kinds of Asian food—Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese. Honestly, if you offered me Michelin-star Italian or Panda Express, I might choose Panda…
  7. AI has been handling a lot of my work, especially helping me come up with cool titles. I’m even working part-time on training AI myself. But after seeing its progress day by day, I can’t help but wonder if it’ll steal my job someday.
  8. I’ve always believed my drawing skills outweigh my musical talents by a mile. Check out my graphic score piece if you don’t believe me!
  9. Stay tuned for more!

(updated: 09/15/2025)

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© Christina Goldberg

© Miguel Pavón