Avan Yu in recital in Sydney and Melbourne

Avan Yu - photo by Irène ZandelSydney International Piano Competition of Australia has announced that 2012 competition winner, Avan Yu, will perform two exclusive recitals in Sydney and Melbourne this June and July.

One of Canada’s most exciting young pianists, Yu won his first national piano competition, the Canadian Music Competition, at the age of 13. Four years later, Yu became the youngest competitor ever to win the Canadian Chopin Competition. In 2012, he won the Sydney International Piano Competition as well as taking home nine additional awards.

The program will include Mozart’s Piano Sonata No.18 in D Major K.576, Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin, Liszt’s Sonetto 104 del Petrarca S.161 (from Années de Pèlerinage, Book II: Italie) and Sonetto 123 del Petrarca S.161 (from Années de Pèlerinage, Book II: Italie), and Sonata in B minor S.178.

Yu was first noticed by Pinchas Zukerman and Bramwell Tovey who invited him to perform with their respective orchestras, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Vancouver Symphony. Since then, Yu has appeared with conductors and musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Rafael Fruhbeck de Burgos, Christian Arming, Juanjo Mena and Johannes Moser.

Yu has performed extensively throughout Europe, North America, Asia and Australia at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Berlin Philharmonie, the Salle Cortot in Paris and Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

“I am delighted that Avan Yu, the illustrious Canadian winner of the 2012 Sydney International Piano Competition, continues to return regularly to Australia where he has a devoted following,” said Artistic Director for the Sydney International Piano Competition, Piers Lane AO. “Not surprisingly! He’s a real communicator with a poetic sensibility and the pianistic ease to express all he feels. You’ll enjoy.”

Avan Yu – Sydney Recital
Verbrugghen Hall – Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 1 Conservatorium Road, Sydney
Performance: Saturday 30 June 2018 – 7.30pn
Information and Bookings: www.sydneypianocompetition.com.au

Avan Yu – Melbourne Recital
Camberwell Grammar School, 55 Mont Albert Road, Canterbury
Performance: Thursday 26 July 2018 – 7.30pm
Information and Bookings: www.sydneypianocompetition.com.au

Image: Avan Yu – photo by Irène Zandel