Lang Ning Liu - Pianist

Lang Ning Liu brings an introspective approach to both the contemporary and classical repertoire, with performances that couple breathtaking technical mastery with profound and eloquent musicality. Her uncommon artistic range and the compelling immediacy of her interpretations offer listeners distinctively original concert experiences. Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times hailed her as "a sensitive, extremely compelling artist", and praised her "elegant pianism, warmth and artistic maturity". Musical America has remarked on her "miraculous strength and confident breadth."

This season takes Ms. Liu to three continents. Highlight engagements include soloist appearances with the Juarez Symphony Orchestra in Mexico, Ontario Philharmonic, China Philharmonic and Liao Ning Philharmonic; as well as solo and chamber recitals throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Recently, Ms. Lang Ning Liu and her piano-duo partner, Michael Berkovsky, were awarded a grant by the Canadian Arts Council to complete a recording project of the Chinese folk tune arrangements and newly commissioned work titled “Sirens” for Two Pianos by Constantine Caravassilis. The recording, produced by WTC Productions, will be released in the upcoming year.

During the past few seasons, Ms. Liu has enjoyed enormous success around the world. In 2011, she made her debut performance and CD recording with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, after embarking on a Canadian tour with the Toronto Concert Orchestra with enormous success. Music Critics raved of her "spellbinding and spectacular" interpretation of the Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1, while the Barrie Examiner wrote: "the enthused crowd rose to their feet in appreciation of a truly inspirational evening." In 2008, she gave her debut recital in the Gijón International Music Festival in Spain, playing the inaugural concert to great acclaim. Ms. Liu’s New York premiere of the Emerson Concerto by Charles Ives with The Juilliard Orchestra and Anne Manson brought the cheering audience to its feet. In 2009, she gave her sold-out Canadian debut concert in Toronto, donating the proceeds to the Chinese Cultural Center’s Sichuan Earthquake Rebuilding Fund. Past guest soloist appearances include the Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Liao Ning Philharmonic, Shreveport Symphony, Southern Missouri Symphony, Cathedral Bluffs Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, University of Toronto Wind Ensemble, the Asian Youth Orchestra, and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. She has established a successful career performing throughout the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, giving concerts and recitals in many prestigious halls, such as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, CBC's Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, Chamber Music Hall of the Warsaw Philharmonic in Poland, and Hong Kong’s Performing Arts Center. She makes regular media appearances on radio, TV and in the media print in Canada’s largest broadcast and publishing networks, as well as those abroad. Notable media appearances within Canada include CTV’s Bravo! & CP24 TV, Fairchild TV, Rogers TV, OMNI TV, InsideToronto, Sing Tao, M2TV, and regular guest performances on the Classical 96.3 FM. Ms. Liu has premiered and recorded commissioned works by such Canadian composers as Vincent Ho, Clifford Crawley, and Constantine Caravassilis.

While performing takes up a significant portion of her time each season, Ms. Liu continues to devote herself to educational and artistic outreach endeavors. She serves as Youth Ambassador for the Chinese Culture Centre of Greater Toronto. She is the founding Artistic Director of the Toronto International Piano Competition and CCC National Canadian Piano Competitions. In 2009, she was invited to serve as a jury member of the MTNA Competition in Maryland. Ms. Liu plans to continue helping the community through her future projects.

Ms. Liu has accumulated numerous prestigious awards and prizes, including top honors from Cologne International Piano Competition, the Steuermann Memorial Prize, the Juilliard Concerto Competition, the China-France Mi Do International Piano Competition, and the Xing Hai National Piano Competition. She is a frequent recipient of artistic grants in recognition of her contribution to the arts throughout Canada, United States, and Asia.

A native of China, Lang Ning Liu began her piano studies at age 4, though largely self-taught except for some guidance by her mother. She made her debut in a local auditorium when she was 8. At 11, Ms. Liu entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing with the highest honors. During her studies there, she made her orchestral debut with the Beijing Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1. Ms. Liu entered The Glenn Gould School in Toronto, where she began her undergraduate studies at 17 on full scholarship from Sing Tao Daily Foundation. She completed her studies in Master of Music in Piano Performance at the renowned Juilliard School in New York. Her musical development has been influenced by a number of distinguished musicians, most notably Julian Martin and Marietta Orlov.