Yicheng Pan
Described by Art China as a pianist with “refined technique and profound musical understanding,” Yicheng Pan, a Chinese-born pianist, enjoys a dynamic career as both a pianist and lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Described by Art China as a pianist with “refined technique and profound musical understanding,” Yicheng Pan, a Chinese-born pianist, enjoys a dynamic career as both a pianist and lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Fearlessly exploring musical territories rarely ventured by many classical pianists, Yicheng is celebrated for his unique approach to performance, blending tradition with an adventurous spirit.
His multi-faceted career is driven by a profound belief in music’s ability to connect people across cultures. Having mastered an extensive range of piano repertoire and studied Historically Informed Practice, he continues to explore diverse musical styles from around the world. His debut performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) marked the beginning of an illustrious journey, during which he has performed across the UK, Europe, and China. Yicheng is also committed to collaborative projects, often engaging in community settings to foster artistic connections through music. Recently, he has performed extensively in charity and non-profit concerts, bringing music to audiences who might otherwise have limited access.
Yicheng’s repertoire transcends traditional boundaries, ranging from J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Chopin to Chinese piano works and his own transcriptions of Piazzolla’s works. He occasionally incorporates live improvisation into classical works, expanding the boundaries of pianistic interpretation.
Regularly performing in a duo with his brother, cellist Tianao Pan, Yicheng explores a wide array of chamber music together. His discography reflects his musical versatility, with recordings spanning from J.S. Bach to South American music. Notable releases include Rachmaninoff’s Piano Sonatas No. 1 and 2 (Live), where he became the first pianist in history to perform and record both works in a single concert. His cross-genre album Piano Tango Project has garnered international media acclaim for its innovation.
Beginning his piano studies at the age of three, Yicheng was admitted to the Pre-College Division of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing as Top 1 at the age of ten. His exceptional talent earned him a place in the upper college without an audition. He later received an ABRSM International Scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before obtaining an Advanced Diploma (NFQ Level 8 Doctoral Equivalent) from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Yicheng has received numerous awards, including the Peter Lindsay Miller Prize for Piano Duo, the Bamber Galloway Prize, the Philip Halstead Prize for Piano, the Governors Recital Prize, and the Walcer Prize.
Yicheng has had the privilege of working with and receiving guidance from several distinguished mentors, including Huiqiao Bao, Yuanpei Lai, Qifang Li, Aaron Shorr, Petras Geniusas, and John Thwaites.