Junwen Liang, pianist

What first inspired you to pursue music, and who have been the most important influences in your musical journey?

One of the defining moments in my musical journey came when I attended the solo recital of a former studio mate who was only thirteen years old at the time. The program included works by Mozart and Liszt, and the first half of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with orchestra. Having studied the piano for only two years myself, I remember being deeply inspired by what I heard. That concert made me realize, perhaps for the first time, that I wanted to dedicate my life to music and share it through performance.

Throughout the years, I have been fortunate to learn from many remarkable teachers and mentors who have witnessed my growth as both a pianist and a musician. If I were to name one person who has had the greatest influence on my artistic development, it would be my most recent mentor, the distinguished concert pianist Richard Goode. He recognized not only my potential as a pianist, but also encouraged me to think beyond technique, to search for deeper meaning, honesty, and refinement in every piece I perform. His guidance has profoundly shaped the way I approach music today.

What have been some of the biggest challenges in your career so far?

One of the greatest challenges has been finding the right balance between performing and teaching. I feel incredibly fortunate to have an active concert career while also teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, and both roles constantly inspire one another. At the same time, each demands the highest level of preparation and commitment. As a performer, I strive to present every concert with honesty and artistic conviction, while as a teacher, I want to provide thoughtful guidance and meaningful experiences for each of my students. Another significant transition has been learning to grow as an artist after student life. For many years, I had the privilege of studying closely with extraordinary mentors who continually challenged and guided my musical development. Today, I have become my own teacher in many ways: shaping my practice, designing recital programs, questioning my own interpretations, and continually seeking new artistic perspectives. It has been both challenging and rewarding, and it has taught me that artistic growth is truly a lifelong journey.

Which performances or recordings are you most proud of, and why?

Rather than pointing to a single performance, I am most proud of the journey my career has taken over the past few years. Since graduating from the Peabody Institute, I have had the privilege of presenting more than eighty concerts across a wide variety of venues, from major concert halls to intimate community series. What has meant the most to me, however, is not the number of performances, but the conversations that follow them. Hearing audience members share that a performance moved them emotionally, inspired them to explore more classical music, or offered them a meaningful moment of reflection reminds me why I chose this profession in the first place. As for recordings, I am especially proud of my debut EP, Colombine, released by Manus Label. Recording has long been an important artistic goal of mine, and I am deeply grateful that this project became a reality at this stage of my career. More importantly, it allowed me to share music by Amy Beach and Florence Price with a broader audience and to contribute, in my own way, to bringing greater attention to two remarkable American composers whose voices continue to deserve wider recognition.

Which repertoire or composers feel most natural or meaningful to you as a performer?

It is difficult to choose just a few composers, as I believe every great composer possesses a unique musical voice and something meaningful to say. What consistently draws me to a work, however, is not simply its technical brilliance, but its emotional depth and expressive honesty. I have always been captivated by music that combines beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, and moments of virtuosity with a genuine emotional narrative. As a performer, I look for repertoire that allows me to communicate something beyond the notes themselves. Whether it is the intimacy of Amy Beach, the warmth and resilience of Florence Price, the poetry of Chopin, or the emotional complexity of Ravel, I am most fulfilled by music that invites both the performer and the audience to experience a deeper human connection. For me, virtuosity should always serve the music, rather than become its primary purpose.

How do you usually make repertoire choices for performances and recordings?

I usually begin with intuition. When I discover a piece that resonates deeply with me, I naturally begin to hear connections between it and other works, even if they come from different composers, periods, or musical styles. Rather than thinking of a recital as a chronological survey of piano literature, I enjoy creating programs that are connected by a shared idea, emotion, or narrative. I have always been interested in exploring unexpected relationships between composers and inviting audiences to experience familiar repertoire from a fresh perspective. Whether through contrasting musical voices or highlighting overlooked connections, I hope each program feels like a thoughtfully curated journey rather than simply a collection of individual pieces. Ultimately, I want every repertoire choice to serve a meaningful artistic purpose and tell a story that audiences can follow from beginning to end.

What specifically drew you to the repertoire on your EP, especially the works of Amy Beach and Florence Price?

Amy Beach and Florence Price have profoundly shaped my curiosity about American classical music ever since my undergraduate years. Learning about their lives and artistic journeys, while recognizing that both composers were historically under-represented in the classical canon, inspired me to explore their music more deeply and to better understand the unique voices they contributed to American musical history. As a performer with an international background, I feel a genuine responsibility to seek out repertoire that deserves to be heard more often. Through this recording, I wanted not only to celebrate two extraordinary composers, but also to encourage listeners to discover works that remain relatively unfamiliar despite their remarkable artistic quality. Amy Beach’s music continues to reveal beautiful works that are still performed less frequently than they deserve, while Florence Price’s music offers a deeply personal voice that reflects both her individual artistry and her remarkable place in American music. I hope Colombine invites listeners to appreciate both composers as distinctive artistic voices, each with their own compelling musical story to tell.

What do you hope listeners will experience or take away from this recording?

Above all, I hope this recording encourages listeners to discover more of the remarkable music of Amy Beach and Florence Price. Both composers have such distinctive musical voices, and I hope this recording serves as an invitation to explore their works beyond the pieces featured on this EP. More importantly, I hope listeners allow themselves to experience the music with an open mind and an open heart. While the piano is, by nature, a percussive instrument, I have always believed that its greatest strength lies in its ability to communicate deeply human emotions. If my interpretations can encourage someone to pause, reflect, or form a personal connection with the music, then I feel this recording has achieved its purpose.

As a musician, what is your definition of success?

To me, success is not measured simply by the stages I perform on or the recognition I receive. It is the opportunity to share my artistic voice with an ever-wider audience and to continue building meaningful connections through music. Every performance is a chance to communicate something personal, inspire curiosity, and invite listeners to experience classical music in a deeper and more meaningful way. I also believe success means being able to use music as a way of giving back. Whether through performing, teaching, or community outreach, I hope to encourage younger generations of musicians while helping more people discover the beauty and relevance of classical music. If my work can inspire others to listen, learn, or simply find comfort and joy through music, then I would consider that a truly meaningful success.

What do you feel needs to be done to grow classical music’s audiences?

I believe one of the most important ways to grow classical music’s audiences is by making it more accessible and more visible within our communities. Outreach concerts, educational programs, and performances in schools, libraries, senior communities, and other public spaces can introduce classical music to people who may never have experienced it before. I also believe that musicians today have an opportunity to connect with audiences beyond the traditional concert hall. Whether through social media, community partnerships, or collaborations with organizations that serve meaningful causes, we can demonstrate that classical music is not only an art form with a rich history, but also one that continues to speak to people’s lives today.

Looking ahead, I hope to explore collaborations with charitable organizations and cultural communities, including Asian communities, to create performances that bring people together through shared experiences. Ultimately, I believe that when audiences feel a personal connection to both the music and the people performing it, classical music becomes more welcoming, relevant, and enduring.

What advice would you give to young or aspiring musicians?

Stay curious, remain patient, and never stop searching for your own artistic voice. Every musician’s journey is different, and it is easy to compare yourself with others or become discouraged when progress feels slow. Some of the most meaningful growth happens quietly, through consistent practice, thoughtful reflection, and a genuine love for music. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas, challenge yourself, and step outside your comfort zone. There will inevitably be moments of uncertainty, self-doubt, and setbacks, but those experiences are often what shape us into stronger musicians and more thoughtful artists. Above all, stay true to the reason you first fell in love with music. If you continue to approach your work with sincerity, curiosity, and dedication, your artistic path will gradually reveal itself. Success is not about becoming someone else, it is about becoming the most authentic version of yourself as an artist.

Where would you like to be in 10 years?

I hope to continue performing, teaching, and travelling to places I have yet to visit, sharing the beauty of classical music with new audiences. I hope to keep growing as an artist and never stop learning.

junwenliangpianist.com