About Fung Lam

About Fung Lam

Lam Fung (Composer/ Music Director)

Lam’s music has been performed in some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Konzerthaus Berlin, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Albert Hall in London. He holds the distinction of being the first Hong Kong composer to be commissioned by the BBC. His prolific output includes orchestral work Endless Forms, premiered at BBC Proms in 2012, and Quintessence, written in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Beside concert music, Lam has also composed for dance, theatre, sound installation, multi-media productions. He has served as Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s Composer-in-Residence and Director of Artistic Planning He was awarded the Award for Young Artist (Music) from Hong Kong Arts Development Awards 2011.

Exploring in Dreams, Experimenting in Life

Lam’s creative journey is imbued with experimentality, which resembles his oeuvres as well as his personality. And this is how he encourages aspiring composers to pursue their dreams – to discover more opportunities from life incidents and realise goals with experiments.

The Beginning of Unrestrained Composing

Starting his piano lesson at six, Lam was initially exposed to classical music. It was not until his sojourn in the United Kingdom when he began composing. One of his titles, which he submitted to the Asian Composers’ League in 2003, was eventually shortlisted for public concerts during the Asian Music Festival in Tokyo.

“It was overwhelming and moving to witness my own work being played by a professional ensemble for the first time. They treated my composition with diligence, which motivated me to sharpen my techniques sedulously,” said Lam.

Since then, Lam has been seeking more proactively for platforms for releasing his opuses as well as exploring and conserving. These undertakings include motely kinds of call for scores and workshops within the industry.

Appearing on the Stage of Music

Participating in a programme co-organised by BBC in 2005, Lam was selected as one of the four young composers. “Illumination was my creative effort during that period.

Its debut was performed by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, which set off my journey of miscellaneous scales of composing and commission projects,” mentioned Lam.

Endless Forms, his fourth collaboration with BBC, has made it to BBC Proms the worldwide annual music event. As it was being resplendently rendered by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Lam’s career reached a moderate peak as well. The occasion also reminded heart-warming moments from Lam’s memory. “The concert was held in Royal Albert Hall, where I moonlighted as an usher years ago. During the premiere I bumped into a number of my ex-colleagues; they all felt delighted for me. It was such an amazing feeling!”

Exploring a Corner of the Art World

Apart from the ushering job, Lam’s other working experiences also served as experiments that brought unexpected rewards. Volunteering in multiple music festivals offered him the chance to join Boosey & Hawkes, the globally leading classical music publishing company. His 3-year-long employment allowed him to meet top-notch artists on a daily basis. Meanwhile, it seemingly revealed to him, at an early stage, the true side of the art world – there are heaps of art geniuses who lack resources and remain unrecognised for years. “What really matters most is to practise workmanship thoroughly and meticulously. Equip yourself. Be well prepared and raring to go. Bide your time for opportunities.”

Manifesting Personal Style

While it takes time to accumulate one’s experiences, it also takes time to display one’s style. Lam suggested young artists to broaden their exposure to new sounds and forms as well as to explore their own preferences through repeated creative experiments, during which their styles will naturally emerge. “I would bring in numbers-related games that are compatible with my creative pursuit. The more a certain paradigm becomes familiar, the more likely it imposes limitations on my work. I have to remind myself to break the rules occasionally.”

Like any other artist, Lam has come across moments of doubt. “At such instances I choose to trust my own ears. Be honest with myself.” The creative process amounts to the journey of self-understanding. Surviving countless trials and breakthroughs, Lam managed to create his music world that is delicate and profound.