Albert Tiu
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Born in Cebu, Philippines, Albert Tiu has been called “an artist of uncommon abilities” by American Record Guide. His latest Centaur recording, “Grand Russian”, pairing Tchaikovsky’s Grand Sonata and Rachmaninov’s 1st Sonata, was cited in ARG: “Even with some legendary competition in this repertoire, Tiu stands tall with his interpretations and technical accomplishment.” A previous disc, “The Classical Elements”, featuring twenty pieces grouped under Earth, Air, Water and Fire, was rated 5 Stars in International Piano and praised by Fanfare for a “fascinating recital containing some stunning playing.” Currently an 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, Michael Lewin at the Boston Conservatory and Nita Abrogar-Quinto in the Philippines. A prizewinner of competitions in Calgary (Honens), Santander (Paloma O’Shea) and Helsinki (Maj Lind), he won First Prize in the 1996 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa. Known for his innovative programming, he has presented thought-provoking thematic recitals: “Nocturnal Fantasies” (similar-titled pieces by Chopin and Skryabin), and “Chopin without Chopin” (music by Godowsky, Busoni and Rachmaninov influenced by Chopin). He has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2005, he gave the Singapore premiere of Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. Other recent recording projects include collaborations with tenor Alan Bennett in Schubert’s “Winterreise” on Centaur; with violinist Ning Kam in "Road Movies", a Meridian disc featuring American composers; and with cellist Li-Wei Qin, in two discs on Decca of Beethoven and Rachmaninov. His “Tiudents” have distinguished themselves in competitions and festivals around the world, and have pursued further studies in North America and Europe. Aside from teaching, he has adjudicated in international piano competitions in France, Denmark, New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia. He is addicted to Angry Birds, a constant source of humour in the family and in his studio, but somehow still manages to practice some piano. |
