Jerry Wong
Program
Acclaimed Melbourne-based pianist Jerry Wong offers an eclectic program that encompasses a diverse range of expressive ideas. Beginning with thoughtful and introspective writings of Shostakovich and moving towards the romantic sweeping gestures of Liszt, the program concludes with charming and humorous pieces by American composer Seymour Bernstein.
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C Major, Opus 87
Prelude and Fugue No. 13 in F-sharp Major, Opus 87
FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)
Selections from Années de pèlerinage Première année: Suisse
Au lac de Wallenstadt
Les cloches de Geneve
SEYMOUR BERNSTEIN (b. 1927)
Selections from New Pictures at an Exhibition
Mezzetin
Chez Chagall
The Madonna
Three Etudes
Interlocking Passages
Left Hand Alone
Octaves
About the artist
Jerry Wong
Steinway Artist Jerry Wong has appeared in prestigious settings across the globe, including the National Concert Hall of Taipei, National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., Melbourne Recital Centre, Opera City Hall in Tokyo, Severance Hall in Cleveland and Weill Recital Hall in New York City.
The American born pianist has made three solo recordings on the MSR Classics label. His first disc of works by Sergei Prokofiev garnered international praise. Audio Society wrote that he “brings [introspection and gentle nostalgia to this music] better than anyone I have heard to assay the Eighth (Sonata) since the late Emil Gilels”. The disc has been featured on David Dubal’s Reflections from the Keyboard on WQXR and The Piano Matters on WWFM. In 2018, he commemorated the 100-year passing of Claude Debussy by releasing Of Motion and Dance – Piano Music of Claude Debussy. American Record Guide described it as a “don’t miss release”. His most recent project titled Of Love and Longing – Piano Music of Franz Liszt was praised in Fanfare as “introspective, insightful, intuitive, and illuminating…exceptional artistry.”
An avid chamber musician, Wong has performed at the Josef Gingold Chamber Music Festival, Killington Music Festival, Magic Mountain Music Farm, Mimir Chamber Music Festival (Australia) and Pacific Music Festival (Japan). Over the span of more than a decade, he performed and taught at the Kent Blossom Music Festival, where he appeared frequently with members of The Cleveland Orchestra.
Wong was Professor of Piano at Kent State University in Ohio from 2003-2019, during which time he developed a flourishing class of international students. His masterclasses have taken him throughout the United States, as well as conservatories and festivals in Australia, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Italy, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, and Taiwan. In 2019, Mr. Wong relocated from the United States to Australia, where he is Professor of Piano and Head of Keyboard at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.