Daniel Hsu: Van Cliburn Piano Competition Award Winner

Overview

Characterized by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a “poet…[with] an expressive edge to his playing that charms, questions, and coaxes,” American pianist Daniel Hsu captured the bronze medal and prizes for best performance of both the commissioned work and chamber music at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Also a 2016 Gilmore Young Artist, first prize winner of the 2015 CAG Victor Elmaleh Competition, and bronze medalist of the 2015 Hamamatsu International Piano Competition, he is increasingly recognized for his easy virtuosity and bold musicianship.

A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Daniel began studying piano at age 6, made his concerto debut with the Fremont Symphony Orchestra at age 8, and gave his recital debut at the Steinway Society of the Bay Area at age 9, before being accepted into Curtis at the age of 10. Since then, he has made his debuts with the Philadelphia Orchestra (2016) and at Carnegie Hall (2017) as part of the CAG Winners Series at Weill Recital Hall, and performed across the United States, China, and Japan. A sensitive and keen collaborator, he has worked with the Tokyo, North Carolina, Fort Worth, and other orchestras, under the baton of conductors Leonard Slatkin, Nicholas McGegan, Cristian Măcelaru, Ruth Reinhardt, and Marcelo Lehninger. He also regularly tours with the Verona Quartet and in duo piano programs with his brother, Andrew.

Daniel is the Richard A. Doran Fellow at the Curtis Institute of Music.  He is also a Marvel film buff and enjoys programming. He contributed to the creation of Workflow, a popular productivity app that allows users to automate tasks on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, which received the 2015 Apple Design Award and was acquired by Apple in March 2017.

 “A player of considerable personality” – Dallas Morning News

 “A powerful artist whose bold approach creates drama aplenty” – Fort Worth Star-Telegram