JIAN LIU

This programme explores how composers from different times and cultures paint their worlds in sound.

The journey begins with landscapes - Douglas Lilburn’s From the Port Hills and Huang Hu Wei’s Pictures from Bashu evoke distant hills and valleys, while Tan Dun’s Eight Memories in Watercolour and Salina Fisher’s Three Short Pieces capture nature’s fleeting beauty in shimmering sound. Gareth Farr’s Love Songs and Zhang Zhao’s Three Songs from the Mountains of Southern Yunnan give voice to love and longing, resonating with the poetry of life.

The second half turns to childhood and memory. Gillian Whitehead’s Lullaby for Matthew and He Luting’s Lullaby offer tender moments of repose, while Anthony Ritchie’s Caroline Bay Suite and Ding Shande’s Children’s Suite dance with the laughter of children at play. Finally, David Farquhar’s Sonatina and Wang Lisan’s Sonatina bring the programme to a spirited close, brimming with energy and joy.

Douglas Lilburn From the Port Hills
Huang Hu Wei 黄虎威 Pictures from Bashu (selections) 巴蜀之画 (选曲)
Tan Dun 谭盾 Eight Memories in Watercolour (selections) 八幅水彩画的回忆 (选曲)
Salina Fisher Three Short Pieces
Gareth Farr Love Songs
Zhang Zhao 张朝 Three Songs from the Mountains of Southern Yunnan 滇南山谣三首
Gillian Whitehead Lullaby for Matthew
He Lu Ting 贺绿汀 Lullaby 摇篮曲
Anthony Ritchie Caroline Bay Suite
Ding Shan De 丁善德 Children’s Suite: Happy Holidays (selections) 儿童组曲《快乐的节日》(选曲)
David Farquhar Sonatina
Wang Li San 汪立三 Sonatina 小奏鸣曲

ABOUT THE GROUP

As an internationally celebrated concert pianist, Dr. Jian Liu has performed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. His artistry has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Steinway Hall in New York, Sprague Hall and Woolsey Hall of Yale University, and Paul Hall of Julliard School, and as a featured soloist with orchestras
worldwide.

Jian Liu is currently the Deputy Head of School, Associate Professor, and Head of Piano Studies at New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington, where he has established his reputation as an outstanding pedagogue and overseen the development of the performance curriculum.

Supported by Chamber Music New Zealand 

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