Congyu Wang (Chinese: 王聪瑀} (born 7 January 1992) is a Singaporean concert pianist based in Réunion, France.[1] He is also the founder and artistic director of Piano Island Festival and Piano Concerto Festival.[2][3] In 2022, Wang achieved the distinction of becoming a Steinway Artist.[4]
Congyu Wang 王聪瑀 | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Wang Congyu |
| Born | 7 January 1992 Singapore |
| Genres | Classical music |
| Occupation | Pianist |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 2012 - present |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editWang was born in 1992, in Singapore. He began playing piano at the age of three.[5] He attended Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, where he studied with French pianists Jean-Marc Luisada and Odile Catelin-Delangle.[6] Later, he attended the Schola Cantorum de Paris where he studied with Gabriel Tacchino.[6][7]
Career
editBy the time Wang turned 18, he had participated in several international piano competitions in cities such as Berlin, Bordeaux, Vulaines Sur Seine, Lagny Sur Marne, Merignac, Paris and Slovenia. In the competitions held in Berlin and Bordeaux, he emerged victorious and received the Grand Prizes.[8]
In 2015, Wang released his debut album, Charme, a collection of piano works by French composer Francis Poulenc. The album was released on KNS Classical and received positive reviews from multiple news outlets including Today.[9][10] In 2018, he released his second album, Reflets dedicated to Claude Debussy on the centennial of the French composer's death.[11]
Given that Wang has pursued the majority of his musical education in France, he exhibits a strong inclination towards French composers and classical musical genres.[12] With a repertoire comprising nearly 30 piano concertos, Wang has extensively studied the complete solo piano works of Frédéric Chopin and Francis Poulenc. Consequently, he has performed in over 800 recitals globally and has shared the stage with numerous renowned musicians including such as Romain Leleu, Agnes Kallay, Giancarlo de Lorenzo, Elena Xanthoudakis, Grigor Palikarov, Quatour Arsis etc.[13][8] In December 2023, Wang published his autobiography, The Wandering Pianist which reached the bestseller status on Amazon.[14]
Discography
edit- 2015 - Charme
- 2018 - Reflets
References
edit- ^ Liang, Chang Tou (6 July 2019). "Soul-stirring kaleidoscope of colours and contrasts". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Liang, Chang Tou (17 October 2022). "Crowd-pleasing pianists thrill audiences at trio of French piano recitals". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Ho, Olivia (9 January 2018). "Pianist spends $80,000 on new piano festival". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Ling, Shannon (27 June 2022). "Singaporean pianist Wang Congyu attains the title of Steinway Artist". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Annonay, Auriana (25 May 2023). "Concert de virtuoses à l'amphithéâtre bioclimatique". www.lequotidien.re (in French). Le Quotidien de La Réunion. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Congyu Wang, un jeune pianiste lumineux". www.leberry.fr (in French). Le Berry républicain. 28 March 2012. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Liang, Chang Toh (19 January 2016). "Charming recital of French music". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Concert de piano : Congyu Wang le15 février au Caudan Arts Centre". www.lemauricien.com (in French). Le Mauricien. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Toh, Christopher (21 December 2015). "Pianist Wang Congyu on what it means to be a young classical musician in today's world". www.todayonline.com. Today. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ Liang, Chang Tou (11 February 2016). "Hot Tracks: New albums by Tony Bennett, Nicholas McCarthy, Congyu Wang and Bizjak Piano Duo". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Reflets With Young Steinway Artist Congyu Wang". www.steinway-gallery.com.sg. Steinway & Sons. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Liang, Chang Tou (19 January 2016). "Paris-trained pianist Wang Congyu affected by attacks but still turns in charming recital". www.straitstimes.com. The Straits Times. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Toh, Christopher (19 March 2016). "The right notes: Growing an appreciation among the young for classical music". www.todayonline.com. Today. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ Fredrickson, Samuel (29 December 2023). "An Intense Conversation With Talented Pianist Congyu Wang About His Book And Much More!". www.planetsinger.net. Planet Singer Magazine. Retrieved 20 May 2024.