At 11 years old, she made her major piano performing debut - Ep 17: This is the Legend Of Athena Deng

2025-03-01

At 11 years old, she performed her first major performance with an orchestra. At 12 years old, she won her first international competition. At 22 years old, she won 2nd prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition. And later this year in 2025, Athena Deng will be competing for the greatest piano prize of all at the International Chopin Competition. Join Amos Vang on the first miniseries episode of “The Road to Warsaw” as he features the legend of Athena Deng. Amos and Athena discuss in great de...

At 11 years old, she performed her first major performance with an orchestra.

At 12 years old, she won her first international competition.

At 22 years old, she won 2nd prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition.

And later this year in 2025, Athena Deng will be competing for the greatest piano prize of all at the International Chopin Competition.

Join Amos Vang on the first miniseries episode of “The Road to Warsaw” as he features the legend of Athena Deng. Amos and Athena discuss in great detail Athena’s career, achievements and experiences (including those at the 2025 Canadian Chopin Competition), as well as the intricacies of musicality and excellent piano performance. Amos and Athena also discuss the legacy of Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin and the impact of Chopin’s music on the world, along with the importance of the International Chopin Competition.

-- CHAPTERS --
0:00 – Introduction
3:03 – What inspired Athena Deng to pursue piano?
4:10 – Piano is the hockey equivalent for ethnic Chinese people like Amos Vang and Athena Deng
5:48 – What were the early influences on Athena Deng’s style?
7:15 – Athena Deng is a major fan of the great Martha Argerich!
8:07 – What were Athena Deng’s favorite memories with her early years as a young pianist?
9:18 – Athena Deng explains the ideal hand position for playing piano.
10:44 – What were the greatest challenges that Athena Deng faced early on?
14:35 – Similar to sports such as hockey, rewatching one’s own piano performances is highly important for pianists to fix their flaws.
17:07 – At 11 years old, Athena Deng made her major orchestral performing debut.
21:17 – Martha Argerich’s performance of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 influenced Athena Deng’s performance.
22:24 – Athena Deng also performed Prokofiev’s Toccata. Amos Vang explains the difficulty of that piece.
23:29 – What were the most important lessons that Athena Deng learned from her debut?
25:00 – Athena’s sister, Corina Deng, is a violinist. Athena explains her experiences with performing with Corina.
27:00 – At 12 years old, Athena Deng won her first international competition. How does she prepare for these competitions?
31:21 – Amos Vang shares his experiences with preparing for the Canadian Music Competition.
33:31 – How do pianists such as Athena Deng and Amos Vang adapt to different pianos?
37:48 – What does Athena Deng look for in a piano?
39:35 – What was it like to study with Dang Thai Son?
41:29 – Dang Thai Son faced a lot of tribulation
42:53 – Athena Deng’s performance of Chopin’s “Funeral March”
46:11 – What sparked Athena Deng to embark on the Road to Warsaw?
50:17 – What was Athena Deng’s feelings during each round of the Canadian Chopin Competition?
53:20 – Athena Deng describes the experience of winning 2nd prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition
54:13 – What is Athena Deng’s mindset going into the International Chopin Competition?
57:00 – Considering Chopin’s letters in musical performance
59:35 – Krzysztof Jablonski
1:01:45 – Paderewski edition vs. Ekier edition/Polish National Edition. Which one is the most accurate and faithful to Chopin?
1:02:50 – Who is Chopin to Athena Deng?
1:06:32 – What is musicality to Athena Deng?
1:07:31 – Why is Chopin’s music so profound and impactful to people?
1:10:29 – Practice is important!
1:14:56 – How to do bel canto singing while playing Chopin’s music?
1:18:10 – Alexander Gadjiev took up timpani to polish his piano performing technique!
1:23:12 – Athena Deng played on period instruments! How did they sound, and how are they different from modern pianos?
1:24:57 – People’s sense of hearing has diminished in the 21st century.
1:32:55 – How does Athena Deng balance her musical philosophy with Chopin’s philosophy?
1:35:15 – Piano performance is like method acting. Amos Vang uses the example of Martin Scorsese.
1:38:35 – What are the worst misconceptions about classical music?
1:49:10 – What are the most rewarding aspects of Athena Deng’s career?
1:52:28 – Outro