Tianyu Tina Deng: A Piano Reflection on Classical Elements

Thursday, May 23 · 7 - 8:30pm

"I intend to share with you some musical experiences that invite us to revise or suspend our relation with the past, and to rediscover it as part of a future trajectory."

— Luciano Berio

Pianist Tianyu Deng will present a program inspired by the Classical Elements—Water, Earth, Air, and Fire—often invoked as the basis of life and natural forces. Although the elements sometimes contradict one another, they can also be complementary, illustrating the interconnectedness of all things. The concert will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel, Messiaen, and Berio; each work is dedicated to an important figure in the arts, whether pianist, painter, writer, poet, patron, or artistic director. These compositions not only connect piano literature to the classical elements, they also explore the relationship between human experience and nature.

Tianyu Deng completed her doctoral degree at the Manhattan School of Music in May 2024, where her dissertation focused on “Luciano Berio’s Six Encores: Analysis, Commentary, and Extension.” She received her Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. As a recipient of numerous piano awards worldwide, Tianyu is also actively involved in collaborative piano as well as historical instruments. She is committed to bridging the gap between classical piano music and modern sensibilities.

Program:

“Pastorale” Piano Sonata Op.28, LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN

Intermezzo Op.117 No.2, JOHANNES BRAHMS

Une barque sur l’océan, MAURICE RAVEL

Clair de lune, CLAUDE DEBUSSY

Et la lune decend sur le tempe qui fur, CLAUDE DEBUSSY

Feux d'artifice, CLAUDE DEBUSSY

Un reflect dans le vent, OLIVIER MESSIAEN

Wasserklavier, LUCIANO BERIO

Erdenklavier, LUCIANO BERIO

Luftklavier, LUCIANO BERIO

Feuerklavier, LUCIANO BERIO

Brin, LUCIANO BERIO

Leaf, LUCIANO BERIO