By: Michelle Gotthelf
Yarong Rachel Guan is a pianist currently based in the United States. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and at present, she is a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Yarong’s expertise is widely recognized, as evidenced by her appointments as a judge for prestigious international competitions, including the 5th Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition. Yarong was invited by the renowned pianist Lang Lang to become the first featured artist of the Star Project at the Langlang Art World in Hangzhou. This position showcases her exceptional skills and recognition within the international music community. Her commitment extends beyond personal achievement, as she is frequently invited to give lectures and masterclasses, contributing to the development of aspiring young musicians.
You had an extremely busy and eventful 2024, especially with your recital tour across two countries and five cities. Could you share more details about this tour?
Sure. The tour started in the United States at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and continued at the Michigan Christian Church. It continued in China, in Steinway Dalian, Langlang Art World in Hangzhou, and ultimately, at Steinway Shanghai.
All of these were solo lecture recitals consisting of three compositions. The first was by contemporary Italian composer Roberto Piana, who has a unique approach to using musical language to represent paintings. He has composed 25 preludes corresponding to 25 world-renowned paintings from various global locations and museums. The second piece was Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in E major, Op. 109. The final composition was Franz Liszt’s Après une lecture du Dante, which provided a rich and diverse musical experience.
The concerts were met with great enthusiasm from the audience, and many showed appreciation and interest. Some asked me for my signature and the score of the pieces I had performed. This positive feedback was indeed heartening. I am also happy that I have been invited to return and perform again in some of the locations in the following year, and I am very much looking forward to it.
Photo Courtesy: Ziwei Song / Yarong Rachel Guan
Can you share with us what’s next on your agenda?
Sure. I look forward to producing a CD and giving recitals based on this new project soon. The theme will revolve around the relationship between art and music. I plan to include several remarkable musical works inspired by art, including Roberto Piana’s full 25 Pictorial Preludes and Debussy’s L’isle Joyuses. I will also include the Evening Banquet in the Shu Palace, which was sparked by the discovery of 14 tomb murals in the tomb of Wang Jian, the first emperor of the Shu Kingdom. Additionally, Tan Dun’s Eight Memories in Watercolor will be presented.
I’m incredibly enthusiastic about this CD project. I believe it can establish connections between art and music and between Western and Eastern cultures. Hopefully, it will present listeners with a one-of-a-kind musical experience. For the upcoming year, I am also arranging a series of lectures in multiple cities across the United States and China.
Photo Courtesy: Yarong Rachel Guan (Hangzhou Langlang Art World)
You have been giving some lectures this year, and your lecture at the Wellington Talk was highly regarded. Could you share more about it with us?
Sure. I have been giving lectures in various locations this year. I have given lectures for the students at the University of Illinois, covering topics such as Chopin’s piano music, Chinese piano repertoire, and Schubert’s Lieder and Sonatas. I also taught at the summer festival held by Dalian Fuyin Academy, sharing with the students some of the stories behind piano music. I’ve also been recording some videos explaining music and have published them online.
I recently lectured at Wellington Hangzhou about The Musical Journey of a Doctor-Pianist and Tips to Appreciate Classical Music. The reason that I chose this topic is because I noticed that many people have very little experience with classical music and find it difficult to understand. So, I thought it would be beneficial to break it down and provide some practical tips and examples to help them discover the beauty of classical music. I hoped that through my lecture, I could not only express my passion for classical music but also encourage more people to engage with and enjoy classical music.
Photo Courtesy: Yarong Rachel Guan (Wellington Talk)
In addition to performing, you are also involved in some teaching. Could you share some of your teaching approaches?
I aim to foster students’ deep and lasting love for piano and music. For beginners, I give suitable repertoires. I also encourage them to explore various musical styles and techniques. For advanced students, I hope they keep their passion and experience the joys and pains of musical expression. I offer guidance in areas like repertoire discovery, piece analysis, technical issue identification, and practice method finding to overcome problems and boost confidence for performances. I also provide more performance opportunities and help with preparations for piano recitals and competitions.
What do you do in your spare time away from the piano?
I really enjoy traveling with my friends and parents. When I’m on my own, I love reading books of all kinds. Lately, I have been particularly drawn to books related to philosophy, but my interests regarding topics tend to vary from time to time. Moreover, I always carry my earplugs no matter where I go, whether it is during my daily commute or any travel; it makes the journey more enjoyable.
Published by Mark V.
