BY CELINE CHONG
There are many, many, MANY pianists. And there are certainly many piano competitions to go around. But the Sydney International Piano Competition is no doubt among the world’s finest.
Held every four years (the next is in 2020!), this prestigious competition brings together 32 emerging artists for two weeks of intense performances – solo repertoire, chamber music, and two full concertos. Simply competing is an amazing feat in itself. Being named the winner is an achievement fewer still can claim.
Having won first place (and a string of other prizes) in the 2012 competition, Canadian pianist Avan Yu chats to us about his career in the six years since, in light of his return to Australia for an upcoming recital tour.
Lovely to meet you, Avan, and an overdue congratulations for first place at the Sydney International Piano Competition – six years ago now! What have you been up to since then?
A lot of travelling! Immediately after the competition, I toured all over Australia. This was perhaps one of the most unique experiences I have had; seeing the country from so many angles. There were a few recording projects, such as the Naxos disc that was part of the prize of winning the competition, and the all-Liszt recording, which I just finished a few weeks ago.
I have played with various orchestras, Sydney Symphony included. During some seasons, I was playing six to seven different concertos in a year!
I have also lived in Berlin, spent nine months in Paris, and am now living in New York.
Aside from the various concert engagements, how did winning this competition help you in developing your career? Has anything changed for you personally as a pianist and musician?
Competitions are a great way for an artist to be known in the music community. While some competitions offer only monetary prizes, others like SIPCA offer something far more valuable: concert opportunities.
It’s hard for me to say if I have changed because I am always looking to improve myself. Being an artist is more about striving for perfection rather than achieving perfection. This pursuit is what makes us constantly evolve and what makes art so interesting.
Having performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia, you must have experienced many different perspectives – on music and life. How have your travels shaped your approach to music and playing the piano?
I think we are all influenced by our experiences, whether or not it is directly related to music. Having travelled to so many places certainly reinforced my view that despite some cultural differences, deep down we are the same. It is what makes it possible for anyone to resonate with classical music, because it deals with basic human emotions.
Whenever I travel, I try to visit museums and do a lot of sightseeing. I feel that this allows me to gain a better understanding of the aesthetics of that culture.
What have been some of your biggest challenges so far as a young artist, and how have you overcome them?
I learn notes very quickly, but there were a few times in the past where I didn’t have quite enough time to prepare a program. I now try to decide my concert program well in advance so that I have time to learn new pieces if I am asked to play new pieces on short notice.
For your upcoming Sydney and Melbourne concerts, you’ll be performing works by Mozart, Ravel and Liszt. Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin in particular is one of my favourites! What were some of the inspirations behind this program?
We are in the final year of the World War I Centennial. I thought it would be fitting to play this masterpiece by Ravel, written for fallen soldiers.
The Liszt Sonata in B minor is another masterpiece and it is on my latest recording.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to on this return visit to Australia?
I look forward to many flat whites, Sydney Rock oysters, and playing on the Fazioli piano in the Verbrugghen Hall!
Watch Avan Yu perform Mozart, Ravel, and Liszt in his Australian recital tour. The Sydney International Piano Competition winner will perform in Verbrugghen Hall at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 7.30pm June 30; and in Camberwell Grammar School in Canturbury, 7.30pm 26 July. More information on the Sydney International Piano Competition website.
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Images supplied. Credit Irène Zandel.
