Antonio Chen Guang

Acclaimed as a pianist of “charm, elan, and deep feeling” (Südkurier), Antonio Chen Guang has been praised for his “extraordinary technical capacity” and “profound musical sensitivity” (Wiener Chopin Blätter). Renowned for his captivating performances with great depth and technical brilliance, Antonio’s artistry continues to garner admiration and emotions from critics and audiences worldwide.

Antonio’s repertoire spans a vast range from Renaissance composers like William Bryd to music of our time. A pioneer of traditions and innovations, he is entrusted by Paul Badura-Skoda to “carry the great tradition of music”, and thanks to his close collaborations with composers, has made many World-, European-, and Regional premieres of works by Lera Auerbach (24 preludes for cello&piano), Mark Isaacs (Songs without Words), Fernandez-Barrero (Fugacity), Matteo del Soldà (Suite Moricone for Piano and Orchestra), Walter Baco (Gleichenberg). His expansive repertoire includes the likes of Ligeti Piano Concerto as well as the Yellow River Piano Concerto, from folk music of China, Europe, and USA to avant-garde endeavours such as Rebecca Saunder and Mark Andre.

His footprint as a concert pianist spans prestigious venues across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa, including such venues as Sala Verdi in Milan, Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Historische Stadthalle of Wuppertal, Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Lincoln Center in New York, Severance Music Center in Cleveland, Davis Concert Hall in Fairbanks, National Music Center of Canada, Shanghai Oriental Center, Beijing Concert Hall, Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, Cape Town City Hall, among many others.

A devoted soloist and chamber musician, his collaborations include those with high caliber artists such as Anna Tifu, Stefan Milenkovich, Pavel Berman, Enrico Dindo, Otto Tausk, Jan Willem de Vriend, Christian Arming, Charles Olivieri-Munroe, Ezio Bosso, Yves Abel, Conrad van Alphen, with orchestras such as Orchestra Filarmonica della Fenice in Venezia, NWD Philharmonic, Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, Dortmund Philharmoniker, Leipziger Symphonieorchester, New Mexico Philharmonic, Cape Town Philharmonie, Johannesburg Philharmonic, Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra.

As a laureate of prominent international competitions, Antonio has claimed top prizes at the Scriabin, Rome, Busoni, Maria Canals, Olga Kern, and Cleveland. Most Recent recognitions include a specially created prize from the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna awarding his “Exceptional Musicianship” and a residency offered by the Kent State University in USA.

In addition to active performances, Antonio is also a dedicated educator and competition juror, having judged in prestigious competitions such as Scriabin, Fort Collins and having given masterclass in majors cities and conservatories in China, Italy, Austria and USA. With his compelling artistry, Antonio continues to leave an indelible mark on the global classical music landscape, while inspiring the next generation of musicians.

He has been kindly supported by the Brenna Tosatto Foundation and the Lieven Piano School. The first CD of Antonio Chen Guang was released by Steinway & Sons in 2020, dedicated to Bach, Brahms and Berg, receiving worldwide praise. His debut album was with Steinway & Sons, featuring works by Bach, Brahms, and Berg, received worldwide critical acclaim.

China born, Italy grown, current resident in Vienna and educated across the globe, Antonio’s education journey began with his father, Professor Chen Yuxiong, at the age of five on the piano. After studying with Professor Zhu Lianping, he went to Beijing, at the Central Conservatory of Music in the piano class of Zhao Pingguo and composition class of Cong Xinzhu. He later went to New York to study in the Juilliard School, with Matti Raekallio on piano, Manuel Sosa on competition, and orchestra conducting with George Stelluto and Adam Glaser, before moving to Italy, where he spent the major part of his growth and earned his Artist Diploma at the Accademia Pianistica Internazionale di Imola focusing on piano and conducting with Vladimir Ashkenazy, Vovka Ashkenazy, Leonid Margarius, Boris Petrushansky, and Marco Boni. It was in Italy when he met his mentor Dott. Antonio Mormone, who has been the most influential figure in his growth and with whom he has worked almost everyday until 2017 when Dott. Mormone passed away. In 2017 he moved to Vienna where he currently resides, diving further into German- Austrian music following his study with Paul Badura-Skoda in the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien under Lilya Zilberstein and Stefan Mendl.