A Concert Featuring Curtis Phill Hsu on Piano

Born in Alabama, USA, in 2004, Curtis Phill Hsu took up the piano at the age of four. Following his initial participation in the 2014 International Summer Academy, he became fascinated with the city and the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Soon after, he was admitted into the Mozarteum Pre-College in 2016 and has been studying with Prof. Andreas Weber ever since. Within the first semester, Curtis was already nominated for the Leopold Mozart Institute’s High Talent Program (Hochbegabungsförderung). After completing his Bachelor’s degree at the Mozarteum University Salzburg in 2023, Curtis is continuing his Master’s studies at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media under Prof. Arie Vardi.

In 2024, Curtis won the coveted Sophia Guo First Prize with a performance of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under Rory Macdonald at the 17th Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, including the Sussex Prize, awarded for the best performance in the semi-finals, and the Festival d’Auvers-sur-Oise Prize, offered by Juror Pascal Escande. In addition, Curtis was honoured with The Hastings Fellowship supported by Arts Council England, an artist development and professional coaching package that helps young artists develop and sustain professional careers.

Repertoire first half

Claude Debussey

• From Préludes, Volume I: La fille aux cheveux de lin Les collines d’Anacapri Voiles

Ludwig van Beethoven

• Sonata n. 21 in C major op. 53
• I. Allegro con brio
• II. Introduzione (Adagio molto)
• III. Rondo (Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo)

Intermission with refreshments.

Repertoire second half

Maurice Ravel 

• Gaspard de la nuit 
• I. Ondine
• II. Le Gibet 
• III. Scarbo

Franz Schubert

• Impromptu n. 3 in G-Flat Major op. 90