In Humour & Horizons, Alexander Yau traverses wit, lyricism, and drama across eras. Beethoven’s intimate Op. 101 and Schumann’s mercurial Humoreske reveal playful introspection, while Debussy’s evocative Préludes paint shifting sonic landscapes. The journey culminates in the fiery urgency of Prokofiev’s Sixth Sonata—bold, restless, and electrifying.

PROGRAM

L. van Beethoven

Sonata no. 28 in A major Op. 101

R. Schumann

Humoreske Op. 20

15-minute interval

C. Debussy

Préludes, book 1

no. 4 '... Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir'

no. 5 '... Les collines d'Anacapri'

no. 6 '... Des pas sur la neige'

no. 7 '... Ce qu'a vu le vent d'ouest'

S. Prokofiev

Sonata no. 6 in A major Op. 82

ABOUT ALEXANDER YAU

Alexander Yau, an eminent young Australian pianist, has developed himself into a

multifaceted musician incorporating his many musical talents as a chamber

musician, conductor and composer. Pianist Balazs Szokolay describes "his artistic

taste is good enough not to make any kind of "show" even in the most brilliant parts

of great masterworks".

His major concerto appearances as soloist include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

in Rachmaninoff’s Concerto no.3, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra with

Rachmaninoff’s Concerto no. 1 and a major tour with the SBS Youth Orchestra in

Australia, with Rachmaninov’s Concerto no. 2, various concertos performances with

the Festival Orchestra Sinfonica “Duchi d’Acquaviva” and the Budweis Philharmonic

Orchestra, finally the Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra with Brahms’ Piano

Concerto no. 2.

He is currently an Associate Lecturer of Collaborative Piano at the Sydney

Conservatorium of Music, a Casual Principal Pianist with the Sydney Symphony

Orchestra, and previously a music staff on contract at the Opera Australia. Previously

he graduated his Masters of music from the renowned Juilliard School studying with

prof. Matti Raekallio. He completed his Bachelor of Music piano performance at the

Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, with first class Honours

studying with Daniel Herscovitch and Elizabeth Powell.

In recent years he turned to focus on music arranging. He gave the Australian

premiere his newly written virtuosic transcription of “Dance of the Seven Veils from

Richard’s Strauss’ Salome” for solo piano at the 2023 Sydney International Piano

Competition, as one of the 3 Australian competitors.

Contact the host of Alexander Yau in Recital: Humour & Horizons