Vicky Chow and Bang on a Can.| Photo by Pascal Perich and Julien Jourdes.

Following Andrew Czink’s and Doug Blackley’s performance of Blackley’s “Spectral Piano Project” compositions, renowned pianist Vicky Chow will perform a work from composer Adam Basanta and present a world premiere of a Remy Siu composition at Western Front (Nov. 6). Chow was commissioned by Western Front for the event.

Chow explains that the use electronics, video and lighting will highlight different aspects between the performer and instrument. The different techniques will call on her to perform different roles as a pianist.

“I am very excited to present these works,” says Chow.

Influence and expression

Chow has certainly proved to be a very prolific and talented contemporary pianist, but that wasn’t always the plan.

While her parents are from Hong Kong, Chow was born and raised in Vancouver, where she was trained in classical music. Her geographical leap to New York, where she studied music at The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music, parallels her musical leap from being a classical pianist, to an artist influenced by many more contemporary, experimental and modern composers.

Though influenced by Western Classical tradition, Chow found being categorized solely as a classical musician was too restrictive.

“Over the years, I began questioning my self-expression and doing it through this genre didn’t quite do it for me,” says Chow.

Indeed, Chow notes she listens to a wide variety of musical genres, and is influenced by many different artists. Chow listens to Classical, Chinese Pop, Techno, and R&B; but she says she is most often influenced by Radiohead.

Chow’s diversity in musical taste and influence matches her prolific and diverse career so far. Along with many associations and collaborations – with ensembles such as New Music Detroit, Wet Ink Ensemble, and the Wordless Music Orchestra – Chow notes one of her main “musical roles” is as the pianist for the New York-based, award-winning Bang on a Can All-Stars, a sextet that has commissioned hundreds of works with countless artists.

Additionally, she’s worked with, among many other established artists, Lee Ranaldo, a founding member of Sonic Youth, and Glenn Kotche of Wilco. She’s performed compositions by Steve Reich on the same album as Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, and hopes to work more closely with the group in the future.

“I am very fortunate to be able to work with so many amazing and wonderful artists. I’ve learned so much from them!” says Chow. “It is impossible not to be touched and inspired by the energy and passion from artists you make music with or listen to live.”

Journey of a musical life

A classical but contemporary artist.| Photo by Kaitlin Jane Photography.

Growth as an artist has not only allowed Chow to explore and experiment with other collaborators, but to also discover the best way to learn and eventually perform a piece. For Chow, it’s all in the preparation.

“Whenever I set my mind on working on a project or a new piece, I need to immerse myself completely,” says Chow. “I’ve tried for many years to be good at multitasking but I haven’t been able to be successful at it.”

Chow acknowledges the hectic nature of being a musician – let alone being one who’s commissioned often – and says she tends to embrace the often frenetic schedule as exciting: a challenge to overcome.

Chow both embraces the fever of a frenzied schedule, which might deter others, while living out a growing musical career which has her meeting both influences and fans along the way.

Those who follow her work can expect a focus on recording in the near future, and albums featuring the music of Jacob Cooper, Chris Cerrone, Jakub Ciupinski and many others.

For more information on the event, visit front.bc.ca.

For more on Chow, visit www.vickychow.com