Now in it’s sixth year, the Piano Island Festival Singapore brings together professional pianists from around the world. Taking place from 21 July to 5 August, there will be piano concerts, workshops, masterclasses and a Singapore piano competition. Here, we chat with the festival’s founder, 32-year-old CONGYU WANG, a professional concert pianist who has performed in concert halls around the world. (Plus, win the chance to watch the festival and a copy of his autobiography, The Wandering Pianist!)
Tell us a bit about your background and life now.
I grew up in a modest home in a typical Singaporean neighbourhood in Clementi. My primary and secondary schools were all in Clementi-Dover areas. Though my parents were not musicians, they offered piano lessons to my sister, my brother and myself from a very young age.
My home now is between Reunion Island and Singapore, though I spend most of my time on planes and boats due to concert engagements.
Give us some insights into your piano-related business.
I started Piano Island Management Pte Ltd in 2018. Along with the Piano Island Festival Singapore, we organise masterclasses, Singapore piano competitions and piano concerts by the world’s greatest pianists to nurture our local musicians.
The business expanded rapidly over the last three years. We have organised festivals in Faro, Florence, Mayenne, Kuala Lumpur, Reunion Island and Los Angeles.
What are some projects in 2024 that you’re really proud of?
My autobiography has been awarded top seller status on Amazon USA since January, and my Birds of Paradise EP was released in June. I signed exclusive contracts to perform piano concerts on ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn. There’s a record with Chris Craker of Karma Studio on Apple Classical. I also became an ambassador to the Singapore Watch Fair. Later this year, I’ll be performing for the first time in Iceland and Antarctica. I’m extremely grateful to my wife Julie, who has been the most important pillar of my life as I achieve these career milestones.
What will the Piano Island Festival Singapore involve?
From 29 July to 5 August, the Singapore piano competition rounds of the Piano Island Festival Singapore will happen at the Esplanade. We’ll be welcoming some of the world’s best pianists: Dang Thai Son (winner of the 1980 X International Chopin Piano Competition), Stanislav Ioudenitch (winner of the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition), Rixiang Huang, Zhou Yun, Yen Chun-Chieh and Antonio Pompa-Baldi. The public can attend a line-up of lectures and masterclasses.
Tell us about your autobiography.
Two years ago, I met movie director Anthony Chen over dinner at The Hood, a Singaporean-owned restaurant in Paris, with its founder and owner Pearlyn Lee and Sharon Au. I shared my story with them, and they convinced me it could be made into a movie. The first step was to write the book.
My book charts my journey from local heartland boy to student at École Normale de Musique in Paris at 16 years. I also talk about my piano concert experiences, being in Italy, Hungary, China and even on a luxury cruise ship. Until I returned to Singapore and established my company.
I hope the story will be a testament to all dreamers that dreams do come true – if someone like myself can achieve success, you can too.
What are a few things you like to do when you’re not working?
Catching up with family and friends. There are so many wonderful cafés and bars in this amazing city – if only I could find the time to visit them all!
Giveaway Time!
Win a copy of The Wandering Pianist and an observer pass worth $800 to see professional pianists at piano concerts and events during the Piano Island Festival Singapore 2024. To enter, visit expatliving.sg/competitions before 15 July 2024!
pianoislandfestival
pianoislandfestival@gmail.com | 97677599
This article first appeared in the July 2024 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy! Find out what’s happening around the island in Singapore and the best things to do in Singapore.
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