Famend soloist Congyu Wang could also be Singaporean however his skills have gone effectively past regional boarders. The internationally famend musician has garnered important acclaim with a repertoire of expertise that features recitalist, accompanist and chamber musician. Ulux speaks to the multi-hyphenate on his plans to develop the appreciation of classical music to a brand new era, the highs and lows of his profession up to now and Wang even recounts just a few tête-à-têtes he had that formed his journey alongside the best way.
What impressed you to pursue a profession in music and who has been a very powerful affect in your musical profession?
My greatest musical affect got here from my instructor Jean Marc Luisada. He was the one who taught me how one can love music once more. The common-or-garden beginnings of how I began my musical journey in France is a reminder to myself to by no means take something as a right. I by no means misplaced the drive to maintain difficult myself to play new repertoire, to journey to new locations and to find new methods to advertise music.
Which performances or recordings are you most pleased with?
That is actually laborious to decide on. I lately recorded a collection of my very own unique compositions on Apple Classical. I’m working very intently with my music producer Chris Craker who produces music for Hans Zimmer and Christopher Nolan. One thing that’s outdoors of what I often do, I’m very excited for the discharge of those new recordings!
Which works or composers do you assume you carry out greatest?
Within the final season, I performed a whole lot of Rachmaninoff, because it was the a hundred and fiftieth anniversary. I like to play the classical repertoire, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Liszt however I’d assume I’m extra snug with Ravel, Debussy, Gershwin, and Rachmaninoff.
What do you do off-stage that gives inspiration on stage?
I journey rather a lot. I carry out six or seven occasions a 12 months on Seabourn, an ultra-luxurious cruise line. I discover inspiration by means of different cultures, immersing myself in new environments every time I journey. I attempt to hold an open thoughts actually. My favourite quote by Ibn Battuta goes, “Travelling, it leaves you speechless, then turns you right into a storyteller”.
How do you address lengthy piano rehearsals?
Lengthy hours on the piano is one thing no pianist can escape from. One has to seek out the best option to be taught music, by understanding the features of the thoughts and the connection between the thoughts and the physique. Lengthy hours on the piano is also very damaging to the physique, particularly the again. I attempt to keep match by figuring out just a few occasions every week even when I’m travelling.
How do you make your repertoire decisions from season to season?
I’ve an extended listing of music I’ve at all times wished to carry out, this listing may final me a lifetime. I attempt to change my repertoire every season like how a restaurant would change its menu. I additionally typically embody music that speaks to the viewers, as an illustration, I’d play Butterfly Lovers if I’m going to tour in Asia or I’d play Rhapsody in Blue if I’m going to carry out in LA.
You might be Singapore-born however have change into a citizen of the world. Do you may have a favorite live performance venue to carry out in?
I don’t have a specific favourite live performance venue in thoughts. I actually get pleasure from sharing my music with individuals, be it on a cruise, in a live performance corridor, or in a museum. I’ve performed in hospitals, previous of us houses, and even prisons. I like to do new issues. Throughout the pandemic, I did a collection of reside concert events out in nature. I carried out on the Croatian Nationwide Archives, on the Monastère de Sant Pere des Rodes (The place they filmed Sport of Thrones), on the Iuvanum in Pescara, and on the Royal Palace of Godollo in Budapest. Each venue is magical and creates great reminiscences which might be distinctive and life-changing.
What are the best challenges you may have confronted in your profession up to now?
Once I first got here again to Singapore, I needed to do my Nationwide service. The largest problem for me was to get again on observe after these two years. I needed to begin over once more.
What could be executed to develop classical music’s viewers?
I imagine there’s a new wave of music lovers particularly within the new era. The longer term belongs to them! My job as a performer is to make sure that the artwork type and the traditions of reside performances proceed to remain related in our society. My final live performance this 12 months on the Victoria Live performance Corridor was offered out, an enormous enchancment from my earlier go to in 2022. Selling music on social media has performed an enormous half in that, nonetheless to develop classical music audiences on a nationwide stage would contain colleges and academic companions to actively train younger youngsters to get pleasure from music.
Are you able to recount a memorable piano live performance efficiency?
My most memorable efficiency could be on the Cirque de Mafate, a caldera created by a volcanic collapse. This live performance was held up the mountains above 1400m altitude and the one option to get there was by climbing as there have been no roads. The organisers needed to transport the piano tied to a helicopter. To my shock greater than 500 individuals confirmed up at this live performance during which I carried out Frédéric Chopin’s 4 Ballades at the hours of darkness after midnight.
What impressed you to jot down the autobiography, The Wandering Pianist?
Once I first began penning this ebook, a lot of my buddies had been baffled. They had been asking me if I had sufficient phrases to fill a ebook and if I used to be too younger to be writing an autobiography. To be trustworthy, I wasn’t positive of myself both. I wrote most of this ebook between airports, on flights to totally different concert events. Lots of the chapters are based mostly on actual life eventualities, or flashbacks that got here to me whereas touring. I by no means knew how laborious it was to complete writing a ebook — I used to be including chapters days earlier than the publishing date.
I used to be invited to a dinner two years in the past in Paris on the Hood (The one Singaporean Restaurant in Paris) and was launched to Sharon Au and Anthony Chen. On this restaurant there was a piano, I performed just a few nationwide day songs and we chatted till late hours of evening. I used to be satisfied that night, by my childhood tv hero and Singapore’s most adorned movie maker, that I used to be going to place my story to paper.
What are the strengths that make you an awesome musician?
I imagine that I’m pushed to do the issues I do at the moment, due to what I had gone by means of in Paris. Compassion for individuals I imagine.
How essential is it so that you can be a Steinway Artist?
It’s by far the most effective factor that has occurred to me since I began studying the piano. The dream Instrument. The dream Sound. The great individuals inside Steinway who’ve helped me get to the place I’m at the moment. My Steinway Household, what extra can I say?
What accomplishments do you see your self reaching within the subsequent 5 to 10 years?
Truthfully 10 years is a very long time. I want to see an entire new era of music lovers arising. In that point I’d have carried out on all six continents, 10 occasions and I’d have began my new piano college in Shanghai!
Apart out of your particular relationship with France, do you may have any hobbies or pursuits outdoors of music?
I really like cooking and I really like visiting new locations — particularly eating places.
What recommendation would you give to younger, aspiring musicians?
At each level in my profession, I’ve heard individuals saying “take a look at this man, take a look at that man” or “this new era is so…., the subsequent era goes to be so….., however nobody can outline the long run. My recommendation is to do what you like, don’t look left or proper, and don’t take heed to recommendation that you don’t want to hear, do it now.
For extra on CongYu Wang, head to his social media platforms and his official web site:
Web site: www.pianoislandfestival.com
Fb: www.fb.com/pianoislandfestival
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wang_congyu/?hl=en
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