In July, 2024, at just 11 years old, Carey Tan successfully presented the Chinese premiere of his original symphony - Four Seasons in Summer Fields at the Guangming Culture & Arts Center in Shenzhen, China.
Composed when he was only eight, the work astonished audiences with its vibrant performance and enchanting sonorities, leaving no doubt about his remarkable musical gifts. The Four Seasons of Summerfield is inspired by Carey’s boarding school in Oxford, a historic institution with 160 years of history. This school — with its lush landscapes, rich musical life, and childhood memories — is the birthplace of his musical dreams.
Through the blending of 17 instruments, Carey leads listeners on a vivid journey through the four seasons in Oxford: the golden hues of autumn, the quiet chill of winter, the blossoming vitality of spring, and the blazing warmth of summer. The symphony also reflects the beauty of campus life, the joy of learning, and the occasional homesickness of a young boarding student.
Structured in four movements, the piece begins in autumn, moves briefly through winter, blossoms into spring, and concludes with the brilliance of summer.
In 2023, the symphony won the Silver Prize at the International Classical Music Composition Competition, making Carey the only child composer ever to receive this honour in the history of the event.
