Klavierwerke von: Liszt & Chopin Chao Wang

• Franz Liszt (1811–1886): Sonate h-Moll
• 1 Lento assai. Allegro energico 03:23
• 2 Grandioso. Allegro energico 09:08
• 3 Andante sostenuto 07:37
• 4 Allegro energico 07:48
• 5 Andante sostenuto. Allegro moderato. Lento assai 03:41
• Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849): Zwei Nocturnes op. 27
• 6 Nr. 1 cis-Moll 05:03
• 7 Nr. 2 Des-Dur 05:44
• 8 Ballade Nr. 3 As-Dur, op. 47 07:43
• 9 Andante spianato 05:13
• 10 Grande Polonaise Brillante E flat major, op. 22 09:59
• Total Runtime 01:05:19

Info for Klavierwerke von: Liszt & Chopin

Chao Wang, who was awarded the 'Grand Prix' at the 2013 European Piano Competition in France last year, now presents this programme on his debut CD. The main work is Liszt's monumental B-Minor Sonata, which is surely one of the most important piano sonatas, not only in the so-called German romantic era, but in the entire literature. The programme also includes three works of the one of the most popular and important composers for piano, Frédéric Chopin: the Two Nocturnes op. 27, Ballade No. 3 op. 47 and the Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante op. 22. Chao not only shows off his brilliant technique in all of these works, but also his impressive sensitivity to even the smallest details as well as his feel for incredibly musical playing. Especially the complex Liszt sonata is an enthralling listening experience.

Chao Wang, piano

Chao Wang
was born in 1990 in Beijing and began his piano lessons at the age of four, before entering the elite Central Middle School for highly talented children in Beijing. His extraordinary talent was evi- dent early on and he gave his first public recital at the age of six. In 2008, he moved to Germany to study at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin with Michael Endres and Fabio Bidini.

In 2011, he continued his studies at the Universität der Künste Berlin to continue his studies with Klaus Hellwig. He was awarded scholarships from the Gisela and Erich Andreas Foundation and from the Ottilie Selbach Redslob Foundation in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Chao has been unusually successful since his early youth. He has received awards so far in not less than thirteen renowned international piano competitions. They include 3rd Prize at the Takamatsu International Piano Competition, at 16 its youngest contestant, 2nd Prize at the 4th The Muse International Piano Competition in Greece and the 22nd Epinal International Piano Competition in France. Furthermore, he won the “Paul Streit” Prize at the 65th Geneva International Piano Competition in Switzerland. As a result, Chao has performed internationally many times, among others with the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, Lorraine Symphony Orchestra, the TIPC Symphony and Takamatsu Symphony Orchestra in Japan, Santorini Chamber Orchestra in Greece and the China Youth Symphony Orchestra. During the last few years, he has given dozens of recitals and concerts in China, Japan, Germany, France and Italy. Various international media have already reported about him, referring to him as “one of the most promising young pianists today”.

In October 2013, Chao earned his most important award so far – the Grand Prix at the European Piano Competition in France. This debut recording was produced with the support of KAWAI as part of the prize.

Booklet for Klavierwerke von: Liszt & Chopin