Alexander Chiu Ying-Hong’s ‘Oriental Charm of the Keys’

Oriental Charm of the Keys, the piano works concert given by Alexander Chiu Ying-Hong on the evening of 17 May at the Royal College of Music's Britten Theatre, brought the house down with thunderous responses from the audience.

The showcased pieces, 11 out of the 200 piano compositions Chiu has crafted over the past 20 years, were a testament to his education in both the Occidental and Oriental realms: interweaving his profound understanding of Western compositional techniques with threads of Eastern charm.

Chiu’s studies at the Wells Cathedral School of Music in the UK from the age of 15 were followed by further education at the Manhattan School of Music in the United States, where he secured third prize in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and first prize in the Manhattan Piano Concerto Competition. Alongside his piano studies, Chiu also trained as a conductor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China and at Vienna’s Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien.

This dual expertise and globetrotter background empower the Hong Kong-born artist to harness the depth of orchestral harmony and the finesse of piano performance to their fullest extent in his compositions, which feature his signature Eastern touch. One of the highlights of the evening was Chiu’s adaptation of Taiwanese folk song Longing for the Spring Breeze, employing jazz techniques to impart a sense of agility and contemporary vibrancy, much to the delight of the sold-out theatre. However, the most captivating piece of the evening was Elegie, with its profound melody and lingering cadence, exuding a soothing power capable of alleviating hardships.

As the evening came to an end, several professors from the Royal College of Music extended their congratulations. Professor Gordon Fergus-Thompson, a lifetime fellow of the Academy, remarked: ‘The showcased compositions were truly exquisite, showcasing the unique beauty of Eastern music.’ Renowned London-based wordsmith Christopher Payne added: ‘This performance transcended mere musicality; it was an emotionally stirring concert.’

Chiu himself was deeply gratified by the success of the concert, viewing it as a bridge between East and West in sound. He expressed great joy that his inaugural concert was held at the RCM’s Britten Theatre in London and was especially delighted that several of his former students who are now pursuing their studies at RCM participated in the performance. He affirmed his commitment to continue organising concerts featuring his works in cities across the globe in the future.