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Joseph Tong – Piano
https://josephtong.co.uk
Piano
Performer, recording artist and writer with expertise in the field of Jean Sibelius’ solo piano works and as a renowned duo pianist, Joseph plans to extend his series of Sibelius recordings through a collaboration with the violinist Fenella Humphreys for Resonus Classics in 2020. A third volume of piano works is planned for 2021 on the Quartz label. The premiere of a new work for piano duet by Edwin Roxburgh with Piano 4 Hands and a new commission of solo piano pieces from David Matthews both promise to be exciting and hugely rewarding projects over the next two seasons.
In addition to teaching at Wells Cathedral School and acting as piano coordinator at Wells International Summer School, Joseph Tong is also an accredited music adjudicator for the British and International Federation of Festivals.
A versatile and imaginative pianist, much in demand as a soloist, duo pianist and chamber musician, Joseph Tong enjoys a busy and varied career giving regular performances at concert venues and festivals throughout the UK and abroad whilst producing critically acclaimed new recordings reflecting his musical interests and passions. He also pioneers new music for piano duo through commissioning and collaborating regularly with contemporary composers. Joseph Tong has performed at Wigmore Hall, the South Bank Centre, Fairfield Halls, St David’s Hall Cardiff and has recently given recitals at the Sendesaal in Bremen and St Blasien in Germany as well as in Spain.
Joseph’s latest disc of Robert Schumann piano works recorded at the Sendesaal in Bremen received a double 5-star review as Instrumental Choice in BBC Music Magazine (November 2019) and also drew praise in the Sunday Times.
His keen interest in the piano music of Sibelius has seen two discs released so far on the Quartz label to widespread critical acclaim. He regularly tours in Finland and has given recitals at Ainola, the composer’s home, the Sibelius Piano Marathon at the 2019 Korpo Sibelius Festival, the Sibelius Museum in Turku, Helsinki Music Centre (Camerata Hall) and Hämeenlinna Town Hall, the composer’s birthplace town. Future plans include new recordings of Jean Sibelius violin and piano works with Fenella Humphreys and a third volume of solo piano works.
As a chamber musician, Joseph has taken part in concerts and study sessions with the musicologist and broadcaster Richard Wigmore as part of his ongoing Music Discovery Live series in Oxford, teaming up with his brother Daniel Tong, and violinist Sara Trickey.
Joseph has also been a regular performer at the Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival since its inception in 2000. He is also a member of the New Street Ensemble with Marie Lloyd (clarinet), Simon Smith (violin) and Penny Driver (cello).
Joseph also has a regular piano duet partnership with his brother Daniel, appearing together at the Purcell Room in London in a performance of Schubert’s Fantasy in F minor and playing Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring as part of the ballet’s centenary celebrations held at St Hilda’s College, Oxford in 2013 in the presence of Dame Monica Mason.
