Toad Lane Concerts: Evi Wang piano

Evi Wang

Evi Wang began her piano studies at the age of four in Shanghai, moving to Sweden in 2008, graduating from the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2019, and currently is in her second year of a Master’s at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Evi has taken part in numerous international competitions, festivals, and masterclasses. She was awarded the Accompanist Prize in the 2022 Chris Petty English Song Competition; is also a chamber musician, and has been a soloist with the RNCM Orchestra, Arctic Philharmonic in Norway, and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.

She is an enthusiastic advocate for contemporary music, having been involved in a number of collaborations and performances of new work. Over the past few years, she has been supported by several international scholarships. A truly international rising star.

During her performance at Toad Lane Concert on Wednesday 1 February, she played the opening sonatas of Scarlatti and Mozart exquisitely. Then in contrast came Debussy’s late compositions, the second book of Studies, with its formidable challenges of technique and control. Evi’s clever grouping of five of them built to a dazzling musical and emotional climax.

In conclusion, Silotti’s well known adaptation of JS Bach’s Prelude was beautifully played. Evi drew some superb shifts in tone and colour from the vintage 1933 Chappell grand piano at St Mary’s. Her creation of silvery running figures whilst also bringing out bass themes was truly magical.

The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available now, but the venue is Covid-19 compliant. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.

To see details of forthcoming Toad Lane Concerts, click here.

Dr Joe Dawson