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THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS
SOLO RECITAL BY
CHIYAN WONG
SUNDAY 31 OCTOBER 2021
7:30PM
ESPLANADE CONCERT HALL, SINGAPORE
Hong Kong-born, Berlin-based pianist Chiyan Wong makes a long-awaited return this October with a stunning programme, the centrepiece being his own combination of Bach’s iconic and enigmatic Goldberg Variations with Busoni’s edition of the same work, the very subject of his latest recording that had Gramophone proclaiming him “an instrumentalist of truly remarkable gifts”.
Wong’s audacity and vision have captivated listeners, in a repertoire ranging from the early Baroque to the 21st century. He completed and edited the transcriptions presented in his critically acclaimed debut album, Liszt Transfigured: Operatic Fantasies for Piano (LINN Records), which was awarded the 40th Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque by the Franz Liszt Society in Hungary. In Singapore, Wong has stunned audiences with two outstanding recitals at the Singapore International Piano Festival (2012, 2017) and a stupendous performance of Prokofiev's fiendish Piano Concerto No.2 with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 2016.
"Jaw-dropping and spine-tingling pianistic mayhem… This is how legends are made." (The Straits Times)
“Beyond the dazzling technical finish he brings to these fiendishly challenging pieces, most striking is Wong's sincerity of purpose.” (Gramophone)
“I have run out of superlatives here… Mr. Wong’s playing is phenomenal.” (MusicWeb International)
We are grateful for the generous support from Extraordinary Studio for providing to the artist the use of their facility and their beautiful pianos for his practice. For bookings, please visit Extraordinary Studio.
PROGRAMME
RAVEL – Prelude and Minuet from Tombeau de Couperin
BACH – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (ed. Busoni / Wong)
CHOPIN – Mazurka in C-sharp minor, Op. 63 No. 3
BUSONI - Nine Variations on a Chopin Prelude, BV 213a [1922]
(Programme subject to change at the artist's discretion)
CHIYAN WONG, piano
Born in Hong Kong and based in Berlin, pianist Chiyan Wong's audacity and vision have captivated listeners, in a repertoire ranging from the early Baroque to the 21st century.
Chiyan completed and edited the transcriptions presented in his critically acclaimed debut album, Liszt Transfigured: Operatic Fantasies for Piano (LINN Records), which was awarded the 40th Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque by the Franz Liszt Society in Hungary. He has recently released his second album, which features his combination of Bach's Goldberg Variations with Busoni’s edition of the same work.
The year 2020-2021 will see his return to Hong Kong, in performances with the Hong Kong Philharmonic. In the fall, Chiyan will make his Hungarian debut with the Danubia Orchestra Óbuda, in Thomas Adès’ Piano Concerto, at the Liszt Academy in Budapest.
Chiyan came to international attention in earlier debuts at festivals such as the International Music Festival in Dinard, France, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the Singapore International Piano Festival, where he has been a frequent guest. He was a prizewinner at the International Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, and made his debut in London's Wigmore Hall with an all-Liszt recital.
Having begun his musical education in his native Hong Kong, Chiyan moved to England aged 12 to study with Norma Fisher, and subsequently, with Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Chiyan's interest in composition have led him to work with Thomas Adès at the Prussia Cove International Musicians’ Seminar, as well as private studies in counterpoint with Naji Hakim in Paris. These encounters have left a strong mark on Chiyan’s musical work. Chiyan is currently a Lee Hysan Scholar, completing his doctorate on Busoni at the Royal Academy of Music in London.