Interview by William Chan
In an exclusive interview with The Macau Post Daily, Leung Hio Ming, an associate professor at Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), expressed his enthusiasm for his upcoming performance of Chopin’s études at the Small Auditorium of Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) on September 22.
The interview took place last week in Leung’s office on the MPU campus in Zape.
After completing his doctorate in musical arts at the University of Kansas and working as a teaching assistant for a few years, Leung returned to Macau in 1995 and continued his career in education. He joined the Conservatório de Macau and, two years later, took on an additional position at the former Macao Polytechnic Institute (IPM, now MPU). At Conservatório de Macau, he was responsible for establishing pedagogy systems and teaching various music subjects at the Conservatório and IPM.
Alongside his teaching responsibilities, Leung made a comeback to the concert stage in 2021, regularly performing solo piano recitals featuring Romantic music and Beethoven sonatas. He has also given concerts in mainland China, India, Portugal, and the United States, and has participated in various music and art festivals.
Chopin’s études
Leung will be presenting two sets of Chopin’s études: Op. 10 and Op. 25. The term “étude” originates from the French word for “study” or “exercise.” Leung explains that in the realm of music, an étude typically refers to a composition intended specifically to enhance a performer’s technical prowess on a particular instrument.
However, Leung emphasises that Chopin’s études are not merely technical exercises: they are renowned for being some of the most demanding and influential pieces in piano literature. “These compositions are highly expressive and musically rich. They demonstrate Chopin’s innovative approach to piano composition, intertwining technical complexity with artistic profundity. Indeed, Chopin’s études, such as ‘Ocean’ and ‘Tristesse,’ are frequently performed by pianists, making them familiar to many audiences,” said Leung.
Leung further noted that Chopin’s work is timeless and has never been forgotten. He believes that Chopin is possibly one of the greatest pianist composers of all time. “On a pianist level, Chopin creates something that is unimaginable by any of his peers. His groundbreaking techniques allowed his equally brilliant creativity to take root, influencing every pianist who was born after him,” Leung said.
Playing Chopin
In a previous interview with The Macau Post Daily last September, Leung revealed that he identified with Beethoven’s fiery personality and music, feeling comfort in interpreting Beethoven’s powerful energy and dynamism. However, he acknowledges that Chopin’s style is distinctively different – it is delicate, subtle, exquisite, and well-balanced. “As my teacher once told me, we musicians cannot simply dwell on the pieces we feel comfortable with. We must constantly challenge ourselves with different styles that we are not accustomed to. This is the necessary path to becoming a well-rounded musician,” Leung said.
Each of Chopin’s études encompasses a unique emotional spectrum and technical demand. Leung likened playing all études in a single performance to the traditional Chinese art of “face-changing” due to the required versatility in handling diverse technical aspects such as runs, jumps, arpeggios*, and broken chords.
Nevertheless, Leung noted that it’s the musical depth of the études that truly sets Chopin’s works apart from others. He considers a performer’s level to be defined by three dimensions: technical, mental, and emotional. “Technical prowess and mental understanding of the pieces are fundamental, but it’s the performer’s emotional connection with the audience that truly defines them. Exceptional and flawless technique is necessary to effortlessly convey one’s emotions and interpretations,” he explained. Leung believes that rather than merely impressing the audience with skill, the ultimate goal should be to completely immerse them in Chopin’s captivating and brilliant musical universe.
Leung’s recital will be held next Friday night (September 22) at the Small Auditorium of the Macau Cultural Centre. Tickets can be bought at macauticket.com for 250 to 280 patacas.
*An arpeggio is a type of broken chord in which the notes that compose a chord are individually sounded in a progressive rising or descending order. Arpeggios on keyboard instruments may be called rolled chords. – Source: Wikipedia
Prof. Leung Hio Ming performs in a recital at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) in July 2021.
– Photos provided by Leung
Poster: The upcoming performance, Gradus ad Parnassum, poster has been designed by artist Ung Vai Meng. The Latin phrase gradus ad Parnassum means “steps to Parnassus”. The name Parnassus was used to denote the loftiest part of a mountain range in central Greece. Source: Wikipedia
