Wang Congyu Exclusive Interview 

Author - Matej Jovanovic/PianoWorldWide

In this insightful conversation, we sit down with renowned pianist Congyu Wang to discuss his journey from a young musician to an international concert artist and Steinway ambassador. Wang shares his experiences as both a competitor and jury member, his approach to mental and physical preparation, and his thoughts on the evolving classical music industry. From his extensive travels to his passion for nurturing young musicians, this interview offers a glimpse into the life of a pianist who continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

When did you start playing the piano, and do you have any musicians in your family?

I started the piano at a young age, 3. It wasn’t very serious lessons at that time. My elder sister played the piano and violin so I just tagged along because she was good at it.

When did you decide to become a full-time professional concert pianist?

I decided at the age of 15 that I wanted to be a concert pianist.

You competed in your younger years – how did that experience shape you mentally and musically?

Competitions help to prepare us mentally. To be ready for different repertoires and to play under huge pressure. I was positive towards participating, but I believe it’s not the only way to achieve the goal of becoming a concert pianist.

What is the difference between being a jury member and being a competitor yourself?

It’s completely different. As a jury, you are seated at the back of the hall. In a relaxed setting, trying to look for the best musician with personality that suits your musical taste. And as a competitor, you are trying to find the best way to convince the judges to vote for you. It’s like comparing the butcher with the cow :) Of course I’ve been in both situations, and clearly it’s much easier to be in the role of a jury member.

Can you share some advice on mental and physical preparation for performances and tours?

I think many pianists try to over-think or practice over excessively. There is no magic secret to preparing for a concert tour or conservatory exam. It’s down to the daily practice, the efficiency and right methods to practice. I believe much of this has to do with confidence. If you focus on the stress and nerves, chances are you will get physical injuries, stage fright nightmares, or even fall off the stage. Honestly, no one can ever be fully prepared for performance. One can only try to find confidence through daily routines, pre performance rituals, rest, and a strong healthy body.

Do you follow any special diet before performances?

Not really, but I avoid foods that will cause problems. Like fiery foods or over night seafood. I usually just eat quite simple food, like pasta for example. And always have a banana in the backstage for the intermission.

Do you practice meditation or other mental relaxation techniques?

Nope. I try to think of the music as my mental practice.

Do you have a physical training routine to stay in shape for performing?

I do CrossFit 2-3 times a week with a dedicated coach. When I’m on tour (although it’s extremely hard to find time) I try to hit the hotel gym whenever possible.

As a long lasting official Steinway & Sons ambassador, you also recently visited their factory. Can you tell us more about your collaboration and what it feels like to walk into a place filled with world-class pianos? It must be a dream for every pianist!

It’s been a great journey with Steinway and Sons. I’ve been an artist now for more than 12 years and I am extremely grateful for all the unwavering support I received from the Steinway family. I was selected in 2025 to perform in one of the Spiriocast concerts broadcasted live from Hamburg. And I had the chance to visit the factory and the selection room. It felt like a dream! Completely surreal be in a place filled with so much history, the wall of fame had all my heroes on it – Rubinstein, Horowitz, Argerich etc. I can assure you that place is the most sacred place for any pianist, the pinnacle of all piano makers.

You travel and perform extensively – how do you manage your schedule and stay organized?

It’s complicated. I can be in 14 different cities in the same month, and sometimes I find it hard to keep track. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of a flight and I dont know where’s the destination. I guess I manage day by day, I have an assistant who replies my emails when I’m on tour. The most important thing in this business is to stay simple, and not have any expectations. I try to be easy when it comes to travelling. Eat simple and keep all the expectations to the minimal :)

Your vast repertoire includes over 30 piano concertos – how do you keep all of that in your memory? Do you have a special technique for refreshing pieces quickly?

Every summer I organise a festival called piano concerto festival. We welcome about 40 pianists yearly to this festival where they all get the chance to rehearse with the orchestra. I try to use this as a time for me to refresh many concertos. I guess if it’s Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin – they come back rather quickly. The ones that require more work are usually Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev. I find Bach’s to be rather tricky. There isn’t really any special technique to refresh. Sometimes if you have to prepare them under a certain stress, or deadline – you might end up worse having to over think and causing memory slips. The best way is to keep performing them.

You effectively use social media to engage with classical music audiences. What’s your perspective on how classical musicians can utilize social media for their careers?

We live in an age where social media can’t be ignored. I think we have to find a balance between self promoting, personal entertainment and career. There’s no point in practicing thousands of hours if no one shows up at your concerts. When concert promoters look at your social media, they are only interested at the engagement. How will they be able to attract the big brands and media affiliates. I personally enjoy posting music related things on my socials, and the feedback has been rather positive so far :)

You are the founder and artistic director of piano festivals and an ambassador for many charities. How important is it for young musicians to receive support from established artists like yourself? Do you believe classical musicians still have a bright future, or do we need to adapt to new changes?

Of course there is a bright future! I believe we live in a time where change is constant. We have to keep up with the new changes all the time. 50 years ago it would mean a world to win an international competition. Today it’s about outreach, person to person interactions, creativity and personality. AI is going to be a huge talking point in our music world. I feel now is the time for us to step up as musicians. We have to show why human emotions through music is so sincere and irreplaceable. I believe the next generation will need the arts more than we did, it will be the blue print of humanity. Imagine a password for a bot is for a human to play an instrument to know if they were human or bot!

I believe that the future belongs to those who earn it. And I sincerely hope that in this future, music will still exist in an impactful way.

Do you have any message for our audience?

I was living on the streets in France as a teenager, and I never thought myself to be special or gifted to have a path in music. If you set your heart out to do something, you will achieve it!

Want to dive deeper into Wang's journey? Check out The Wandering Pianist, his biography, available now on Amazon!