In this highly anticipated homecoming, Vancouver-raised new music superstar Vicky Chow returns from New York to perform legendary composer Philip Glass’ Piano Études, Book 1, in an otherworldly, powerful joining of two immense musical talents.
“Both Vicky Chow and Philip Glass exude an effortless brilliance in their music, and are beautifully paired as performer and composer,” says David Pay, Artistic Director of Music on Main. “We’re very excited to welcome Vicky home to Vancouver, and especially to Music on Main where she was our first Artist in Residence in 2018.”
Chow embraces her acoustic piano roots in this singular solo performance of Nos 1 – 10, the first studies Glass wrote to explore and refine his own piano technique. Glass describes Chow’s renditions of these works as “a highly dynamic and expressive performance. There’s a certain energy that is uniquely hers” in her recently released recording of Études, Book 1. The album launched in September 2022 to coincide with Philip Glass’ 85th birthday.
Chow’s deep understanding of Philip Glass’ Piano Études is informed in part by her own connections with the composer, and their shared presence in New York City’s new music community. Chow is a long-time member of the famed Bang on a Can All-Stars, a six-member amplified ensemble recognized worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances and recordings of today’s most innovative music. She first met Glass while performing with him on stage, at the same piano, during one of the legendary Bang on a Can Marathons staged annually in the city.
Since joining the Bang on a Can All-Stars in 2009, Chow has collaborated and worked with leading composers and musicians such as John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Bryce Dessner (The National), Philip Glass, Glenn Kotche (Wilco), David Longstreth (Dirty Projectors), Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), and has performed extensively around the world as a classical and contemporary soloist, chamber musician, and ensemble member.
Now centred in New York, Chow serves as faculty at the Bang on a Can Summer Institute and has been on faculty at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. She is on the Board of Advisors for Composers Now and is also a mentor at The Juilliard School. Chow is a graduate of The Juilliard School (B.M. ’05, M.M. ’07 Piano Performance) and The Manhattan School of Music (M.M. Contemporary Performance ’09) and is a Yamaha Artist.
