Biography

“Exhilarating evening”  –  The Independent 

The British-Vietnamese pianist Tra Nguyen’s performances have been praised as “coruscating” (The Independent), “sophisticated” (Rheinpfalz-Zeitung) and possessing “surpassing artistry and passion” (American Record Guide).

Tra Nguyen made her debut appearance with the Hanoi Conservatory Orchestra performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488. She has since appeared at venues worldwide, including Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cadogan Hall, Wigmore Hall, Tokyo Opera City, Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall and Ho Chi Minh City Opera House. Her imaginative and acclaimed programming balances core repertoire with lesser-known works, with her recent concert repertoire exploring Schubert’s complete piano sonatas, Liszt’s Grandes études, S.137 and a large number of piano concertos.

“A performance of surpassing artistry and passion” – American Record Guide 

Tra Nguyen’s discography, which has received airplay on major classical music radio networks around the world, also includes many world premiere recordings of neglected pieces. Her series of recordings of Raff’s piano music, released on Grand Piano, has garnered wide critical acclaim, and was named ‘Album of the Week’ by The Independent. She is currently working with British-French-Israeli composer Nimrod Borenstein on solo recordings and performances of his works. Nguyen has also given live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, Hong Kong Radio Four and Vietnam National Television. As a chamber musician, she has collaborated with baritone Benjamin Appl and clarinettist Sabine Grofmeier. Nguyen also appeared as soloist with the Prague Radio Symphony and the Norrland Opera Symphony in her recordings.

Nguyen studied with Lev Naumov at the Moscow Conservatory and Christopher Elton at the Royal Academy of Music, where she received the highest award for her final recital. She was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2013.