Master Class

Raymond Young

“The transparency of the phrasing, tone clarity, and the seductive cantabile in Young's performance were appreciable. The impeccable technique and interpretative style demonstrated by this soloist, is proof of how truly valuable this pianist is. He played with such taste, much lyricism, and the palette of timbres was highlighted with passion, along with wide and rich nuances.”

La Provincia, Italy

Hailed by the press as a pianist with ‘imagination and romance in his poetry’, ‘exquisite tone, interpretative insights and deep communicative powers’, Raymond Young was prize winner at The International Piano Competition in Rome, Italy; and at the Braunschweig Classix Festival in Germany.

The first Bösendorfer artist from Hong Kong, his numerous circuit concerts and performances spread throughout Austria, England, Germany, Italy, Russia, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and throughout China over the years have won him great acclaim from critics and audiences for his refined musicianship and artistry.
Apart from his busy schedule as a performer, he is also highly in demand as a piano pedagogue. He has been appointed as a Professor of Wiener MusikSeminar in Vienna, Guest Professor of The Hainan University and Sichuan University of Culture and Arts, and on the piano faculty of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The University of Hong Kong. Recognized as one of the most respected educators, many of his students have furthered their musical studies at leading music schools in Europe, United States and Australia, and have won awards in numerous competitions.

As the first pianist from Hong Kong to be awarded the highest scholarship by the Austrian Government, Mr. Young graduated with Double Master of Arts degrees in performance and vocal accompaniment, and a Diploma in piano pedagogy from the prestigious University for Music and Performing Arts (MDW) in Vienna, his true home of the heart where he lived for over a decade under the refining influence of that greatest of musical cities. Besides piano studies, he also majored in music theory and opera coaching. On account of his achievements and numerous recommendations, he was also granted the Austrian citizenship. He has benefited from such masters as Joseph Banowetz (a student of Clara Schumann’s disciple); Paul Badura-Skoda (an authority of the Classical Viennese style); Walter Fleischmann (a fifth generation student of Beethoven and third generation student of Franz Liszt); David Lutz and Norman Shetler. He is a Fellow of the Trinity College, and an Associate of the Royal College of Music, in London.

As one of Hong Kong’s most versatile and renowned pianists, Young performs concerts extensively as a recitalist, soloist with orchestra, and chamber musician, collaborates with singers and instrumentalists, records for radio broadcasts, conducts master classes and lectures around the world. Being a sought-after adjudicator, he has been invited to serve as the Chairman of Trial Jury in China for the Hong Kong – International Piano Open Competition, and Head Juror for The Hong Kong Students Open Music Competition, and has been on the judge panel at many major competitions in the region, including the Singapore International Piano Competition, Korea-China International Piano Festival and Competition, The Steinway and Sons International Youth Piano Competition, Guangzhou Piano Open Competition, Macao-Asia Open Piano Competition, Macao Young Musicians Competition, Hong Kong–Asia Open Piano Competition, Hong Kong’s Young Musician of the Year and Hong Kong Schools Music Festival amongst others. Mr. Young is appointed as an examiner for the Yamaha Music Foundation, and is the founding member of the piano quartet ‘Piano Extravaganza’, consisting of four pianists. He is the Artistic Advisor of Hong Kong International Musician Association, Honorary Consultant of Global Musician Association and a committee member of Hong Kong Music Tutors Union and Hong Kong Piano Music Association.

Lesson focus:
Technique Enhancement (ergonomic technical approach, touch and sound, pedal etc.)
Body and Finger Awarenwss
Artistic Interpretation with emphasis on Viennese Classical and Performance Practice
Exercise Tactics (creative problem solving)

Languages: German, English, Chinese