Anthony Cheung

Anthony Cheung, composer and pianist, is an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Chicago. His work explores notational aesthetics, improvisational traditions, microtonality, rhythmic polyphony, and temporal perception, integrating poetic imagery and natural phenomena with the visual arts. He co-founded and serves as Artistic Director of the Talea Ensemble, and his compositions have been commissioned by leading ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, Ensemble Modern, and Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.

• University of Chicago, Assistant Professor of Music
• Co-founder, Talea Ensemble
• Doctorate from Columbia University
• BA in Music and History from Harvard

Cheung’s research interests span contemporary composition, instrumental play, and interdisciplinary art, with a focus on sonic ambiguity, tuning/timbre transformations, and textual meaning in music. His works like Lyra (New York Philharmonic commission, 2013) and Cycles and Arrows (2016) showcase his innovative approach.

Cheung’s scientific awards include the Andrew Imbrie Award (2024), Yvar Mikhashoff Prize (2024), Rome Prize (American Academy in Rome), and American Academy of Arts and Letters recognition. His compositions have been performed globally at festivals like Ultraschall (Berlin), Helsinki Festival, and Nuova Consonanza (Rome).

Cheung has taught at Columbia University and served as assistant conductor of the Columbia University Orchestra. His recordings include two 2022 portrait discs on New Focus and KAIROS labels, and collaborations with ensembles like JACK Quartet, Escher Quartet, and Ensemble Modern.