This piano recital features Chinese pianist Junyan Chen in a solo program centered on Rachmaninoff, with additional works by Earl Wild. The concert showcases large-scale Romantic repertoire alongside virtuosic 20th-century piano writing, presented as part of the 2026 Future Masters concert series.

About the Performance

This solo piano recital centers on the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, paired with Earl Wild’s virtuosic reinterpretation of Gershwin themes. The program moves between highly expressive Romantic piano writing and technically demanding 20th-century works, highlighting both emotional depth and pianistic power. The repertoire includes Rachmaninoff’s Etudes-Tableaux and his Piano Sonata No. 2 in its 1931 revision, a version known for its structural clarity and intensity.

Program

• Rachmaninoff | Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 33
• Earl Wild | Grand Etudes on Gershwin Themes
• Rachmaninoff | Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 36 (1931 Revision)

Program is subject to change.

Performer

Junyan Chen, piano

Junyan Chen is a Chinese pianist who won the Silver Medal at the 2024 Leeds International Piano Competition, along with the Best Performance of a Female Composer’s Work Award and Best Chamber Music Performance Award. She is currently the highest prize-winning Chinese pianist in the history of the competition.

Born in Shanghai, Chen studied at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s affiliated schools before continuing her education at the Royal Academy of Music in London on a full ABRSM scholarship. She completed her undergraduate degree with First Class Honours, followed by a Master’s degree and an Advanced Diploma. Chen is now an artist with Askonas Holt and has performed at venues including Wigmore Hall, the Shanghai Symphony Hall, and Guangzhou Opera House.

Why It’s Worth Seeing

This concert offers a chance to hear a major Romantic piano sonata and virtuosic études performed by a rising international pianist at a pivotal stage in her career. It will appeal to audiences interested in large-scale piano repertoire, competition-level artistry, and contemporary interpretations of Rachmaninoff’s music.