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MYRNA A. SETIAWAN
Executive Director, Concert Pianist |
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The musicality and virtuosity of pianist Myrna Setiawan is well known to American audiences and Californians in particular.
She has been described as a "pianistic phenomenon ... [with] seemingly endless resources of power and brilliance (The Fresno Bee)",
and her irresistable emotional performances "literally brought forth tears from some of the audience [members] (The Auburn Journal)".
She is a "master of the moment" (The Sacramento Magazine) and her magnificence in piano is complete and sustaining … "A remarkable, rare
and thrilling performance" (Pacifica Tribune). Her beautiful interpretation … [which] each phrase was distinctly crafted by someone who
felt the music throughout her body … produced amazing volume contrasted by a soft poignant echo "made the audience sat frozen in disbelief" (Pacifica Tribune).
In her homeland, Indonesia, Ms. Setiawan is recognized as being " in a league of her own ... with ... something [extra] that goes way beyond experience and
qualification " (The Jakarta Post).
Ms. Setiawan already proved a prodigious talent when she debuted in Japan at the Annual Yamaha Junior Concert in 1981 at the age of 11
and when at age 16 she received her first scholarship to the RD Colburn School of Music and Performing Arts in Los Angeles. She furthered her studies with
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from New England and San Francisco Conservatories and was presented with a full scholarship for her Doctorate in Piano Performance
at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. Among her teachers were Mack McCray, Patricia Zander, Dr. Louise Lepley, Eugene Pridonoff and
Elizabeth Pridonoff.
While her repertoire masterfully spans the gamut from early baroque to modern, she excels in music of the romantique era where she can
let her passion flow. Her delightful playing and mastery of virtuosity have led to numerous solo recitals, including those for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Society,
the San Francisco Keyboard Concert Series, Challenging Performance Recital Series in Cincinnati, Bach’s Dancing and Dynamite Society, USC Radio,
California Rotary Club’s Benefit Concert (February 2005) where she soloed in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, completely transcribed for one piano,
and most recently for the 2005 Pacifica Performances where she will be sponsored to do her live DVD & CD recording in 2006 Season.
Even though Ms. Setiawan now calls California her home, she keeps close ties with Indonesia. Mastering the repertoire of the great composers,
Ms. Setiawan had the honor of being invited by the former Indonesian president’s son and performed Rachmaninoff’s third piano concerto with the
Indonesian Philharmonic Orchestra to great acclaim. Her recent engagements highlighted Tchaikowsky’s first piano concerto. In Indonesia she has also been
featured with Gloriamus Symphony Orchestra and Nusantara Chamber Orchestra, and in America with the Marina Del Rey Westchester Symphony, the
Lake Tahoe Festival Orchestra, the Auburn Symphony, the San Francisco Conservatory Orchestra, and College of Conservatory of Music Repertory Orchestra in Cincinnati.
Her most recent concert was performing the Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Sacramento Gold Country Chamber Orchestra under Maestro Henrik Jul Hansen in April 2005.
During her studies Myrna won many competitions including first place in the famous Joanna Hodges International Piano Competition as well as in the
California Association of Professional Teachers Concerto Competition. Of other noteworthy honors can be mentioned winning Joseph Fisch International Competition,
Bartok Competition, San Francisco Conservatory Concerto Competition, Southwestern Youth Music Festival Competition, and the WGUC Radio Competition.
Her awards include the Dr. and Mrs. Leon Belous Award, the Los Angeles Keyboard Concert Series Award, Joseph M. Shaw Award, and the
Young Musician Foundation Award in Cincinnati.
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