Yuja Wang

Pianist Yuja Wang is celebrated for her charismatic artistry, emotional honesty, and captivating stage presence. She has performed with the world’s most venerated conductors, musicians and ensembles, and is renowned not only for her virtuosity, but her spontaneous and lively performances, famously telling the New York Times, "I firmly believe very program should have its own life, and be a representation of how I feel at the moment."

In January 2023, she demonstrated her skill and charisma in a marathon performance of the works of Rachmaninoff at Carnegie Hall alongside conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra. This historic event celebrating 150 years since the birth of Rachmnainoff included performances of all four of his concertos, plus the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in one afternoon. The concert drew queues around the block for tickets on the day of. During 2022-23 Wang gave the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and further performances the work all over North America and Europe throughout the season. 

Wang was born into a musical family in Beijing. After childhood piano studies in China, she received advanced training in Canada and at the Curtis Institute of Music under Gary Graffman. Her international breakthrough came in 2007, when she replaced Martha Argerich as soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Two years later, she signed an exclusive contract with Deutsche Grammophon, and has since established her place among the world’s leading artists, with a succession of critically acclaimed performances and recordings. She was named Musical America’s artist of the year in 2017, and in 2021 received an Opus Klassik Award for her world-premiere recording of John Adams’ Must the Devil Have all the Good Tunes? with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. 

As a chamber musician, Wang has developed long-lasting partnerships with several leading artists. In the 2023-24 season, she embarked on a highly anticipated international duo recital tour with pianist Víkingur Ólafsson with performances in world-class venues across North America and Europe, which once again showcased her flair, technical ability, and exceptional artistry in a wide-ranging program.