Echoes Across Horizons: American Voices in Classical Piano

As a pianist with an international background, Junwen Liang brings a unique perspective to Echoes Across Horizons: American Voices in Classical Piano, a program that celebrates underrepresented voices and diverse traditions within American classical music. Featuring works by pioneering women such as Amy Beach, trailblazing African American composer Florence Price, and contemporary voices like Tan Dun and Paul Harvey Aurandt, the program traverses cultural landscapes shaped by immigrant experiences, African American heritage, women’s contributions, and the post-20th-century spirit of romanticism. Transcriptions by Stephen Hough from the American musical theatre tradition further bridge classical artistry with popular culture, offering audiences a vibrant journey through voices that challenge and expand the traditional Western canon.

About the Artist:

Described by Richard Goode as “a very gifted pianist and a musician of great sensitivity,” Chinese pianist Junwen Liang has been praised for his captivating artistry (Stroll Magazine) and recognized as “an extremely gifted and promising young artist” (New York Concert Review). In the Spotlight lauded his “engaging stage presence” and “confident programming,” affirming he is “ready for a major career.”

Junwen’s performances have taken place in prominent venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center, with broadcasts on WRTI Classical, WSKG, and KPR Public Radio. Since 2024, Junwen has emerged as a versatile recitalist, presenting 35 performances across the United States and China and later making further recital debuts across the East Coast and Midwest in the summer of 2025. His upcoming 2025–26 season is highlighted by engagements across the U.S., France, Canada, and China. Alongside these appearances, he is preparing his debut album with Sheva Collection, a respected classical label based in the UK and Italy in partnership with Naxos of America, Inc. 

A laureate of numerous international competitions, he has received top honors from The American Prize, The Princeton Festival, Philadelphia International Piano Competition, New York International Piano Competition, and the Juliusz Zarębski International Music Competition. He is also the recipient of the Clara Ascherfeld Award at the Peabody Institute and the Spencer Merit Award from the National Society of Arts and Letters—Bloomington, where he was the sole pianist honored in 2019.

Based in Philadelphia, Junwen teaches piano at the University of Pennsylvania and is represented worldwide by Price Attractions. His principal teachers include Richard Goode, Christopher Guzman, Roberto Plano, Edward Auer, and Charis Dimaras.

Registration is required to attend this IN PERSON event.