The Ivory Trio

The artists are pursuing advanced degrees in the USC Thornton School of Music graduate program, having completed their earlier studies at some of the nation’s other leading music schools.

For Chinese cellist Yuqi Wang, music is a lifelong journey of discovery and connection. She finds joy in diverse musical collaborations as a soloist, chamber musician, and Early Music specialist. Her dedication to music has earned her recognition in competitions and on international stages, including First Prize at the 2022 Gustav Mahler Cello Competition, the International Music Competition Vienna, and the 2024 Thornton Christine Marie Ofiesh Honors Chamber Competition. Standout clarinetist Yan Liu has appeared as a soloist with several leading orchestras. In 2022, Liu made his Carnegie Hall debut, playing the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Juilliard Orchestra under Maestro David Robertson. In 2018, Liu made his solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra on its “Bernstein: 100 Years Young” family concert. In the same year, Liu appeared as a soloist with the Tianjin Symphony Orchestra. Pianist William Chiang completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at Indiana University Bloomington, where he studied under the tutelage of Evelyne Brancart and André Watts. He has received top prizes at the Redlands Bowl, Memphis, Hellam, and Knabe competitions. In addition to his solo activities, William is an avid chamber musician and collaborative pianist and was a fellowship recipient of the Aspen Music Festival in 2024.

The Program

Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Sonata for Cello and Piano, L135 (1915)
I. Prologue: Lent, sostenuto e molto risoluto
II. Sérénade: Modérément animé
II. Finale: Animé, léger et nerveux

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Trio in B-flat Major, Op.11, “Gassenhauer” (1797-98)
I. Allegro con brio
II. Adagio
III. Tema con variazioni (Pria ch’io l’impegno: Allegretto)

Jean Françaix (1912-1997)
Tema con variazioni (1974)
for clarinet and piano

Alexander von Zemlinsky (1871-1942)
Clarinet Trio in D Minor, Op.3 (1896)
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Andante
III. Allegro