At only 12 years old, piano prodigy Reuben Tsang wowed attendees of the Sydney Piano Competition. Now at 20, he performs in Canberra for the first time at Wesley Music Centre on Monday 25 March. CD’s Jessica Cordwell caught up with Tsang ahead of the show to discuss performing, music and the future.
What can audiences expect at Wesley Music Centre?
I am super excited to perform at the Wesley Music Centre, my very first Canberra performance. I want to keep exploring the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of live performance, so I have compiled a wide range of repertoire which immediately appealed to my wonder and curiosity. This includes a selection of spectacular sonatas by Scarlatti, a selection of charming and exquisite Impromptus by Faure, the beautiful Mozart Sonata in B flat K.281 and the epic Piano Sonata in C major Op.1 by Brahms. I am also excited to bring back the Liszt SpanishRhapsodywhich I performed in the Sydney International Piano Competition last year.
What first drew you to the piano?
I started learning the piano at the age of five, initially as an extra-curricular activity. I’ve always been curious about the various tone colours and endless capabilities for expression on the piano. I grew up listening to many recordings, particularly music by Frederic Chopin on car rides to and from school, which inspired me to practice and experiment on the piano.
You’ve been playing mainstages since you were 12, how did it feel doing something so big, so young?
It was all quite overwhelming but at the same time very surreal and exciting to step out of my comfort zone to perform for larger audiences. At age 12, it was my first time branching out from Far North Queensland, performing at the Little Lev Masterclass in Brisbane and also my first time leaving Queensland to perform at the beautiful Verbrugghen Hall as an Australian showcase performer at the 2016 Sydney International Piano Competition. It was all a riveting huge step forward as a performer.
How has your playing changed or developed since then?
From flying down from Cairns to Brisbane every few months for lessons with Natasha Vlassenko to having regular lessons with her as a Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University student, my playing and outlook on music has evolved in many ways.
Setting goals to prepare large amounts of repertoire for prestigious competitions like the Sydney International Piano Competition, the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition and the Aarhus International Piano Competition has helped me grow to love a wider range of music, adjust my mindset when facing challenges and appreciate the spirit of live performance.
Do you have a favourite piece to play?
I don’t have a piece which I could point to as my favourite as they are all equally amazing and fun to play. I’m probably at the stage as a musician where I am trying to learn to find the value in all the music I listen to and play. However, out of all the repertoire which I have delved into so far, I particularly enjoyed exploring different temperaments in the Agosti arrangement of Stravinsky’s Firebird.
What’s next for you?
After the tour with Piano+as part of itsEmerging Artist Recital Series, I will be flying to Montreal, Canada in May to take part in the Musical Chairs Chamber Music Festival as a member of a piano quartet representing Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. Later in the year in October, I will be performing Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto with the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, which I am looking forward to. I am excited to be preparing for more performances and exploring new repertoire in general, including music by Sergei Prokofiev.
Hear Reuben Tsang play at Wesley Music Centre, Forrest on Monday 25 March 7:30pm; pianoplus.com.au
Canberra Daily is keen to hear from you about a story idea in the Canberra and surrounding region. Click here to submit a news tip.
