Claudia Yang, born in Johor, Malaysia, to a Malaysian Chinese family of Fujian ancestry, is an internationally acclaimed pianist. She began her musical journey at the tender age of five. By 16, she was studying under renowned pianists such as Dianko Iliew, Paul Badura-Skoda, and Ludwig Hoffman at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, where she graduated in 1997 as joint best pianist.

In 1999, Claudia made her Chinese debut at the prestigious Beijing Concert Hall. The same year, she was honored as “Global Chinese of the Year” by China Voice Magazine. As a visiting professor, she has offered master classes at esteemed institutions, including the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, University of Music and Performing Arts in Slovakia, Xi'an Conservatory of Music, and Venezuela’s El Sistema Music Academy.

Throughout her illustrious career, Claudia has collaborated with leading orchestras worldwide, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra, MAV Symphony Orchestra, Novosibirsk Philharmonic Orchestra, Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, China National Symphony Orchestra etc. Her performances have graced major concert halls across Europe, Asia, and South America.

In 2010, she embarked on a European and Asian tour celebrating Chopin’s 200th birth anniversary, followed by a similar tribute to Franz Liszt in 2011. Her expertise led to roles as a jury member at the International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in Moscow (2011–2012) and the 11th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians.

A trailblazer, Claudia became the first Asian pianist invited by renowned Russian conductor Valery Gergiev to perform at the Vladikavkaz International Music Festival in 2013. The following year, she was awarded Hungary's prestigious Pro Cultura Hungarica for her contributions to promoting Hungarian culture, particularly the works of Franz Liszt. The award was presented by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during his visit to China.

Claudia's compositional achievements include the acclaimed Dream of The Red Chamber Piano Concerto (2014), co-composed with Gyula Fekete and premiered in Beijing. This work toured internationally, captivating audiences at venues such as the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Mariinsky Theatre, and the Budapest Spring Festival. In 2018, she collaborated with Russian composer Artem Vasiliev on Twelve Fantasies for Piano and Orchestra Based on Chinese Folk Melodies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Claudia launched the online series Gather With Heart and Soul, featuring performances and discussions on Beethoven's solo works. Supported by the German Embassy in Beijing and Bundesstadt Bonn, the series marked Beethoven’s 250th birth anniversary.

In recognition of her contributions to cultural exchange, Claudia received the International Culture Engagement Special Award at the 2020 Austrian Music Theatre Awards. In 2021, she directed the concert version of the Azerbaijani operetta The Cloth Peddler at the Belt and Road–Great Wall International Folk Arts Festival, where she established the Silk Road Philharmonic Orchestra.

Claudia's dedication to music education and cultural exchange continues through the Claudia Yang Piano Art Studio (founded in 2020). She also serves as Honorary Dean of the Piano Department at Tianjin Conservatory of Music from 2021-2024 and Artistic Director of the Silk Road International Arts Centre since 2019.

Through her extraordinary talent, leadership, and global collaborations, Claudia Yang has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music, fostering international dialogue and inspiring future generations.

December 2024