Lu Yao, piano virtuoso, to perform with Chamber Music Society of Colombo

The Chamber Music Society of Colombo’s 18 December concert at the Lionel Wendt Theatre is a piano recital by the young Chinese born Lu Yao. He is a prime example of the present wave of Chinese trained hyper-virtuosi. An award-winning graduate of the élite Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, Lu Yao is currently a member of its piano faculty. 

Born in Zibo, Shandong Province in 1992, Lu Yao started learning piano from Professor Zhuang at the age of five. In 2003, he began studying with Professor Chang Hua and then ranked first in the highly competitive entrance examination and entered the Pre-College program attached to the Central Conservatory of Music in 2004.

In 2006, Lu Yao was awarded first place in the Professional group at the 11th “Xing Hai” National Children’s Piano Competition. He achieved the top prize at the Beethoven Music Festival and National Youth Piano Competition in 2007. In 2011, with high recommendations, he enrolled at the Central Conservatory of Music without an audition, where he studied under Professor Wu Ying. 

In 2012, Lu Yao was awarded the second prize at the 1st Yamaha China Piano Competition and in 2013 he won the top prize at the 9th Chinese Golden Bell Award for Piano. That same year, Lu Yao was awarded titles of Excellent Creative Talent of The Central Conservatory of Music and Elite Practice Support Plan of Hanneng. 

The program on 18 December will include:

Frédéric Chopin

Fantaisie-Impromptu, in C-sharp minor, Op. posth 66, 

Saint-Saëns/Liszt/Horowitz ‘Danse Macabre’. 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Twelve Variations on ‘Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman’

Ludvig van Beethoven 

Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op.57 ‘Appassionata’

Zhang Zhao 

‘Pi-Huang’  

Claude Debussy 

Deux Arabesques, L. 66

Frédéric Chopin 

Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in E-flat major, Op. 22

Camille Saint-Saëns 

Septet for trumpet, two violins, viola, cello, contrabass & piano in E-flat major, Op. 65.

Performing the septet, Lu Yao will be joined by Lakshman Joseph de Saram, violin I. Sulara Nanayakkara, violin II, Othman H Majid, viola, Ruben Jeyasundaram, cello, Nilanthi Weerakoon, bass and Naveen Fernando, trumpet – all principal players of the CMSC.

Professional critical reviews of Lu Yao’s musicianship highlight his many talents.

After he was awarded the top prize at the 9th Chinese Golden Bell Award for Piano, the judges commented on Lu Yao’s ‘natural talent and excellent skills of phrasing’, ‘his astonishing technique, and sophisticated musicianship’; ‘his performance was powerful and passionate.’

“Lu Yao is adroit in his performance style and possesses a remarkable ability of keyboard manipulation; his performances display wisdom and integrity well as passion and a deeply felt understanding of the music.”

In addition to the recital on 18 December, The Chamber Music Society of Colombo’s Education Fund in association with the Goethe-Institut presents a Piano master-class/workshop by Lu Yao on 19 December, 6 to 9 p.m. at the Goethe-Institut Hall, 39 Gregory’s Road, Colombo 7. The master-class is for pre-selected advanced students and young professional pianists. Piano teachers are also welcome. It is free of charge to both active participants and observers. 

Lu Yao’s visit to Sri Lanka is made possible by a generous arts grant by the Embassy of China in Colombo to the CMSC. 

Tickets for the 18 December concert are available at the Lionel Wendt Box Office.