Biography

 

"Beyond the dazzling technical polish he brings to these fiendishly challenging pieces, most striking is Wong’s sincerity of purpose." (Gramophone Magazine)

 

Born in Hong Kong, pianist Chiyan Wong's audacity and vision have captivated listeners, in a repertoire ranging from the early Baroque to the 21st century. 

Recent highlights from recent seasons include his Paris debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, and the Hungarian premiere of Thomas Adès' Piano Concerto at the Liszt Academy in Budapest. His recital for Premiere Performances Hong Kong, given in the spring of 2021, has been the subject of a feature-length concert film, "Encore", which was shown in his native city. 

This season, Wong will be making his recital debut at Konzerthaus Berlin, as well as giving the first performance of his own compositions at the Raritäten der Klaviermusik Festival in Husum, Germany. In addition, he collaborates with the West Eastern Divan Ensemble at the Tai Kwun Prison Yard Festival in Hong Kong, where an exhibition of his own drawings are to be presented.

Wong's two recordings for LINN Records have met with critical acclaim. In his debut album for (Liszt Transfigured), he was awarded the 40th Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque by the Franz Liszt Society in Hungary, in which he completed and edited Liszt's opera transcriptions. For his second album, he recorded his version of Bach's Goldberg Variations, drawing from the edition by Ferruccio Busoni. Last year saw the release of Wong's first digital album, SWING! - for Platoon/Apple Music, comprising jazz influenced music by Alexander Tsfasman and Maurice Ravel, in a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra and Christoph Koncz.

 

Having made his debut at prestigious venues such as the Salzburg Mozarteum, and the Wigmore Hall, in which he gave an all-Liszt recital, Wong first came to international attention in earlier debuts at festivals such as the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, the International Music Festival in Dinard, France, the Hong Kong Arts Festival, and the Singapore International Piano Festival. Wong has also worked with conductors such as Krzysztof Urbański, Edward Gardner, Long Yu, Xian Zhang, Pascal Rophé.

 

 

Beginning his musical education in Hong Kong, Wong moved to England aged twelve to study with Norma Fisher at the Chethams School of Music, and subsequently Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His interest in composition led him to work with Thomas Adès at the Prussia Cove International Musicians’ Seminar, as well as counterpoint studies with Naji Hakim in Paris. These encounters have left a strong mark on Wong’s musical work. Wong completed his doctorate on Busoni at the Royal Academy of Music in London, with support from the Lee Hysan Foundation. He now resides in Berlin, where he finds time to draw and write music.

“Jaw-dropping and spine-tingling pianistic mayhem… This is how legends are made.” (The Straits Times)