In tune with the times

He studied with Richard Raymond at the Montreal Conservatoire between 2011 and 2018 and then he studied with the Vietnamese Canadian classical pianist Dang Thai Son — the first pianist from Asia to win the Chopin piano competition in 1980.

At 15, Liu performed with the Cleveland Orchestra. When he was 17 years old, he also played with the China NCPA Orchestra in Toronto in 2014, during the ensemble's first tour in North America.

Liu says growing up in Canada allowed him to be open-minded, accepting differences, just like playing musical works by different composers, which feature a diversity of cultural elements. He also mentions that his parents also support his hobbies, such as motor racing, reading, watching movies, and practicing magic tricks.

"People often get surprised about my Mandarin, especially my Beijing accent. I watch lots of Chinese TV dramas and my parents speak Mandarin at home," says Liu, whose parents were both from Beijing.

Before 2023 comes to a close, the pianist will perform in Singapore and Paris, and give concerts in Spain and the Netherlands as well.

"After long journeys, I usually freshen up and let myself rest for two weeks. I just stay at home alone, even without meeting my friends," says Liu.