Müzewest Concerts Society announces pianist Avan Yu as new artistic and executive director

Originally from Hong Kong, the internationally renowned artist has performed around the globe

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED PIANIST Avan Yu is the new artistic and executive director of Müzewest Concerts Society.

Müzewest is a nonprofit organization that aims to present concerts by classical musicians at an affordable price.

Yu has performed around the globe, first achieving widespread recognition for winning the Sydney International Piano Competition with nine special awards. He was the youngest contestant ever to win the Canadian Chopin Piano Competition when he was just 17. Other awards include the silver medal and audience prize at the Paloma O’Shea Santander International Piano Competition in Spain.

The National Arts Centre Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and Dresden Philharmonic are just some of the organizations Yu has performed with, playing more than 25 different piano concertos. Originally from Hong Kong, he has collaborated with the likes of Pinchas Zukerman, Bramwell Tovey, and Yo-Yo Ma. He has appeared at such respected venues as Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Berlin’s Philharmonie, Salle Cortot in Paris, and Sydney Opera House.

Yu has a konzertexamen degree from Universität der Künste Berlin and a doctor of musical arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. His doctoral thesis was on Hans Abrahamsen's Left, alone for piano left hand and orchestra, which he performed in the Canadian premiere with Esprit Orchestra under Alex Pauk in Toronto.

Critics have praised Yu for his “glittering virtuosity” (West Australian) and his “astonishing sensitivity” (La Presse). His recording of Liszt’s piano transcriptions of Schubert’s Winterreise and Schwanengesang earned positive responses from reviewers at Gramophone magazine, American Record Guide, and Fono Forum.

Müzewest Concerts Society has yet to announce its 2024-25 season.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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