David Fung
December 13, 2022
Sue Anne Metz
December 29, 2022
Show all

Albert Tiu

Born in Cebu, Philippines, Albert Tiu has been called “an artist of uncommon abilities” by American Record Guide. His Centaur recording, “Grand Russian”, pairing Tchaikovsky’s Grand Sonata and Rachmaninoff’s First Sonata, was cited in ARG: “Even with some legendary competition in this repertoire, Tiu stands tall with his interpretations and technical accomplishment.” A previous disc, “The Classical Elements”, featuring twenty pieces grouped under Earth, Air, Water and Fire, was rated 5 Stars in International Piano and praised by Fanfare for a “fascinating recital containing some stunning playing.”

Recently promoted to Professor of Piano at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, Tiu is a prizewinner of competitions in Calgary (Honens), Santander (Paloma O’Shea) and Helsinki (Maj Lind). He won the First Prize and two concerto prizes in the 1996 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa.

A graduate of the Juilliard School, he has performed with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, Hamburg Symphony, Finnish Radio Symphony, Northern Sinfonia, Gstaad Festival Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony, and Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2005, Tiu gave the Singapore premiere of Samuel Barber’s Piano Concerto with the Singapore Symphony. Known for his innovative programming, he has presented thought-provoking thematic recitals: “Nocturnal Fantasies”, and “Chopin: Before & Beyond”.

Other recent recording projects include collaborations with violist Zhang Manchin in the Brahms Viola Sonatas, and with tenor Alan Bennett in Schubert’s “Winterreise”, both on Centaur; with violinist Kam Ning in “Road Movies”, a Meridian disc featuring American composers; and with cellist Qin Li-Wei, in two discs on Decca of Beethoven and Rachmaninov.

His “Tiudents” have distinguished themselves in competitions and festivals around the world, and have pursued further studies in North America and Europe. Aside from teaching, he has adjudicated in international piano competitions in France, Denmark, New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia.