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SINGAPORE — Singaporean pianist Wang Congyu was only 16 when he left school to pursue music in Paris. «It was a very bold move and everyone around me was very much against it,» says the 30-year-old, who is now based in Reunion Island, which isSingaporean pianist Wang Congyu attains the title of Steinway Artist
SINGAPORE — Singaporean pianist Wang Congyu was only 16 when he left school to pursue music in Paris. «It was a very bold move and everyone around me was very much against it,» says the 30-year-old, who is now based in Reunion Island, which is in the Indian Ocean, close to Africa. He was selected for a scholarship to attend Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris. Moving to Paris without much parental support, however, meant that he struggled both financially and mentally. After going through tough times — including living on the streets and making a living by playing music in bars — Wang has made a mark in the classical music scene. He is the founder and artistic director of the Piano Island Festival, Piano Concerto festival and the International Chopin Competition in South Africa. He was also recently named a Steinway Artist — a prestigious designation for pianists. These artists are chosen to perform on Steinway pianos exclusively. Read more