Daniel Asia (b. 1953) stands among the most versatile composers of his generation, having traversed orchestral, chamber, vocal, and operatic realms with equal mastery. A 2009 recipient of an American Academy of Arts and Letters Award and inducted into the American Academy of Sciences and Letters in 2024, Asia has been hailed as "a genuine creative spirit" and "a welcome addition to the roster of our strongest group of living composers."
His orchestral works have been commissioned and performed by major symphony orchestras including Cincinnati, Seattle, Milwaukee, Phoenix, and the American Composers Orchestra in New York City. Renowned conductors such as Jesús López-Cobos, Gerard Schwarz, Eiji Oue, and Zdeněk Mácal have championed his music on stages across America and Europe.
Asia served as Professor of Music at the University of Arizona from 1988-2024 and currently serves as President of Polyhymnia (Center for American Culture and Ideas). His distinguished career includes a Guggenheim Fellowship, four NEA Composers Grants, a Fulbright Arts Award Fellowship, and numerous other honors recognizing his contribution to American music.
"Psalm 30, a song for the dedication of the house, is about transformation from fear and trepidation to one of belief in the powers and wonder of God."
— FANFARE
"Psalm 30 "combines a somewhat mournful quality with more dance-like material (particularly in the violin solo), and also includes a melody that more than hints at its joyful chassidic roots."
— FANFARE
Psalm 30 is a deeply expressive setting of the biblical text, tracing a dramatic journey from despair to gratitude and renewal. its intimate scoring for baritone, violin, and piano creates a chamber-like intensity, with the violin serving as an emotional counterpart to the voice.
LISTEN | DOWNLOAD MP3 & SCORE
Forces: Baritone (or Cantor), Violin, and Piano.
Duration: approx. 8–10 minutes
SCORE
Never Recorded
SCORE
Never Recorded
"Engaging, energetic, and playful."
— Audiophile Audition
"Daniel Asia: Music as an Encounter with the Sacred"
— FANFARE
"The material on the CD, while sophisticated in language and structure, is deeply satisfying on an emotional and intellectual level."
— FANFARE
"Asia is a welcome addition to the roster of our strongest group of living composers, the tonal postmodernists: Bolcom, Del Tredici, Adams, et al. This new disc is highly recommended."
— SCHWANN OPUS
"an interesting release that proves quite rewarding."
— Audiophile Audition
"The concise Nonet is cast in similar musical language, with something of the clear precision of neoclassical Stravinsky."
— Records International
Fl. Ob. Cl. Hn. Bsn — Vln. Vla. Vlc. Cb
18 minutes
Daniel Asia's symphonic works have been brought to life by some of the world's most distinguished ensembles and conductors, showcasing the breadth and appeal of his compositional voice across the international classical music community.
Dorian Wind Quintet, American Brass Quintet, Meadowmount Trio, Cypress Quartet, Amernet String Quartet
Andre-Michel Schub, Alex Klein, Benjamin Verdery, John Shirley-Quirk, Sara Watkins, Christopher Pedro Trakas, Faye Robinson, Robert Dick, Carter Brey, Julian Schwarz, Robert Swensen, Jeremy Huw Williams, Carmen Pelton, Mary Feinsinger
Zdenek Macal, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, Eiji Oue, Lawrence Leighton Smith, Carl St. Clair, James Sedares, Stuart Malina, George Hanson, Kirk Trevor, Koji Kawamoto, Gerard Schwarz, Odaline de la Martinez, Jonathan Shames
Throughout his career, Daniel Asia has received some of the most prestigious honors available to American composers, reflecting both the quality of his work and his significant contribution to contemporary classical music.
American Academy of Sciences & Letters induction ceremony, 2024
2009
Inducted 2024
Four NEA Composers Grants
M.B. Rockefeller Grant | Aaron Copland Fund for Music Grant
MacDowell Colony Fellowship | Tanglewood Fellowship | DAAD Fellowship (Germany)
ASCAP Composition Prize | BMI Composition Prize
Meet The Composer/Composer in Residence with the Phoenix Symphony 1991-94
Igor Reznik
Agent & Producer
Momentum Artists
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +1-646-975-8402
"American classical music has finally taken a sharp turn for the better—back towards tonality, accessibility, and immediacy. Daniel Asia is one of the composers who has his hands on the wheel."