新逸藝術

Albert Tiu

個人簡介

出生於菲律賓宿霧市， Albert Tiu 被美國最古老的古典音樂雜誌American Record Guide評價為”一位有著不尋常能力的藝術家”。

目前為國立新加坡大學楊秀桃音樂院的鋼琴副教授，在茱麗亞音樂院師事Jerome Lowenthal、波士頓音樂院師事Michael Lewin、在菲律賓師事Nita Abrogar-Quinto及 Nelly Castro。活躍於國際樂壇，為多次國際大獎得主，其中包括UNISA國際鋼琴大賽、Juilliard William Petschek Award…等大賽，更與國際上知名樂團合作，包括聖彼得堡愛樂管弦樂團、德國漢堡交響樂團、芬蘭廣播交響樂團、瑞士格施塔德交響樂團、加拿大卡爾加里愛樂與溫尼伯交響樂團以及菲律賓愛樂。於2005年，與新加坡交響樂團首演作曲家Samuel Barber的鋼琴協奏曲。

Born in Cebu, Philippines, Albert Tiu has been called “an artist of uncommon abilities” by American Record Guide. His latest Centaur recording, “The Classical Elements”, featuring twenty pieces grouped according to Earth, Air, Water and Fire, was praised by ARG for its “interesting groupings. Even more important is the playing, which perfectly captures the essence of each piece and links them together.” Fanfare goes further by describing him as “a weaver of magic spells and enchantments… the ability to intuit and differentiate for the listener the distinctive ambient essences of so many similarly themed pieces, therein lies the art, which Tiu possesses in abundance.”

His earlier Centaur recording, “Nocturnal Fantasies”, featuring Chopin and Skryabin, was dubbed “one of the all-time great piano recordings” by Fanfare. “One of the most inventive recital programs ever seen or heard” (ARG), this “compelling and poetically imaginative recording” (Clavier Companion) was also hailed for “performances where heart and mind unite in a deeply affecting union” (Gramophone).

Currently Associate Professor of Piano at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, he studied with Jerome Lowenthal at the Juilliard School, with Michael Lewin at Boston Conservatory, and with Nita Abrogar-Quinto and Nelly Castro in the Philippines.  A recipient of Juilliard's William Petschek Award and a prizewinner of competitions in Calgary (Honens), Helsinki (Maj Lind) and Santander (Paloma O’Shea), he won the First Prize and two concerto prizes in the 1996 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa. 

Known for his passion for innovative programming, he has presented recitals with themes like “Chopin without Chopin” (music by Godowsky, Busoni and Rachmaninov influenced by Chopin), and “Bee Flat” (the two Sonatas in B-flat by Beethoven).  He has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, and Philippine Philharmonic.  In 2005, he gave the Singapore premiere of Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto with the Singapore Symphony under Tang Muhai. 

Soon to be released is a solo disc entitled “Grand Russian”, pairing Tchaikovsky’s Grand Sonata and Rachmaninov’s 1^st Sonata.  Other recent recording projects include collaborations with tenor Alan Bennett in Schubert’s “Winterreise” on Centaur; with violinist Kam Ning in "Road Movies", a Meridian disc featuring American composers; and with cellist Qin Li-Wei, in two discs on Decca of Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

He is absolutely addicted to Angry Birds, and in his spare time manages to practice some piano. This is a constant source of both humour and chagrin in the family. When it is in season, his addiction spreads to ice hockey, in which he supports the Pittsburgh Penguins (no relation to Angry Birds).

“Above all his playing exudes a golden tone that sounds as if it was made for 19th century Russia.  Add an uncanny sense of timing, supple fingers that seem to be everywhere at once, pedalling that constantly enriches, and penetrating understanding into what makes Russian romantics tick, and you have an authentic mix for spectacular success.”

The Advertiser, Adelaide, Australia