Daniel Tong and Beethoven
Daniel Tong has become increasingly associated with the music of Beethoven throughout his career. It is a relationship that started as a child when his teacher gave him a little Bagatelle to play, and has only grown stronger with time. In recent years, Daniel has recorded all of the sonatas for violin and piano (SOMM Recordings) with Krysia Osostowicz, and the complete works for cello and piano with Robin Michael for Resonus Classics. His first disc of solo piano sonatas was released in autumn 2022 to critical acclaim, and a second volume is planned for 2024 release.
“Best of all his his spacious, operatically informed Largo, one of the strongest period instrument performances of this great movement I’ve heard.” (Gramophone Magazine)
Beyond the recording studio, Daniel’s London Bridge Trio have performed all of Beethoven’s piano trios and he has been soloist in the 3rd, Emperor and Triple concertos, as well as the Choral Fantasy. Daniel has presented lecture-recitals on the Beethoven Piano Sonatas at St Georges in Bristol, and teamed up with musicologist and broadcaster Richard Wigmore for online sessions on the symphonies, concertos and piano sonatas, with musical illustrations at the piano. It goes without saying that Beethoven’s works are staples in Daniel’s piano and chamber music lessons and masterclasses. In recent years, Daniel has complemented his performances on modern piano with performances and recordings on fortepiano; this has been a great source of enjoyment and inspiration.
“[The Op. 96 Sonata] achieves a delicate balance between depth and playfulness that’s hard to beat amongst contemporary versions, and the rapport between the players is clear right from the start.” (BBC Music Magazine)
Daniel was awarded his PhD in 2021 for research that focused on the relationships between Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas and ten new pieces written to partner them for the Beethoven Plus project. He has written CD booklet notes for the Elias Quartet’s string quartet cycle for Wigmore Live. His first book, Re-Reading the Beethoven Violin Sonatas, is due for publication in 2024.
“Michael and Tong take on this key repertory in a spirit of fresh, egalité, stylistic certainty and all-round technical brilliance… a thrillingly rewarding contribution to Beethoven’s 250th anniversary year.” (International Piano Magazine)
Daniel Tong - Pianist
Daniel Tong was born in Cornwall and studied in London. His musical life is spent performing as soloist and chamber musician, as well as directing two chamber music festivals. He has appeared at many of the foremost British venues and festivals – Wigmore Hall, South Bank Centre, St Georges Bristol, Birmingham Town Hall, Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh as well as the Cheltenham, Aldeburgh and Edinburgh Festivals.