NEW YORK, NY – The Sunü Quartet, under the musical direction of pianist Jiazhou Conroy Hu, will present their Winter Concert on Friday, February 28th at 7:00 PM in the eminent Rehearsal Hall at Opera America’s National Opera Center. The program features masterworks of the piano quartet repertoire, including Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478 and Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 3.
Jiazhou Conroy Hu, serving as both Music Director and Principal Pianist, brings his exceptional artistry and vision to this performance. A graduate of the renowned Mannes School of Music and currently based in New York City, Hu has established himself as a versatile musician whose expertise spans solo performance, chamber music, composition, and historical keyboard instruments. His impressive trajectory includes appearances with major orchestras including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Nelson Symphony Orchestra, and Auckland Symphony Orchestra, showcasing his mastery of challenging repertoire from Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 to Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1.
"This program represents the origins and rarities of the piano quartet repertoire," says Hu, who has garnered recognition for his innovative approach to chamber music and his dedication to fostering artistic collaboration. His background, which includes extensive training in historical keyboard instruments such as harpsichord, clavichord, and fortepiano, brings a fresh perspective to these classical masterpieces. This specialized knowledge stems from his studies at the University of Auckland’s School of Music, home to one of New Zealand’s largest collections of historical keyboards.
Born in New Zealand to immigrant parents from Shanghai, China, Hu’s musical journey began at age 8 with piano studies. His rapid progress was evident as he completed his ABRSM grade 5 exam merely a year and a half after starting. While initially pursuing a joint degree in Engineering and Music at the University of Auckland, Hu made the bold decision to focus exclusively on his true passion – music. This decision has proven transformative, leading to numerous achievements in his musical career.
Throughout his career, Hu has consistently demonstrated exceptional piano performance skills across multiple venues and competitions. His competition achievements include reaching the semi-finals of both the Lewis Eady National Piano Competition (2022) and the Wallace National Piano Competition (2019), as well as being named a finalist in the prestigious Wallace National Junior Piano Competition (2016). His early talent was recognized with the Auckland Grammar School Senior Minister’s Plate in both 2014 and 2016, and the Headmaster’s Performing Arts Award.
One of Hu’s most significant accomplishments has been his extensive work with orchestras. His debut with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra in 2016, performing the Warsaw Concerto by Addinsell, marked the beginning of a series of notable orchestral collaborations. He has since performed with the Auckland Chamber Ensemble, Nelson Symphony Orchestra, and most notably, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, one of New Zealand’s premier orchestras. His repertoire with these ensembles spans from Bach’s intricate Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 to Liszt’s virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s monumental Piano Concerto No. 1.
The Sunü Quartet features accomplished musicians Mikayla Chan (violin), Jacob Rollins (viola), and Veronika Alter (cello), joining Hu in what promises to be an evening of exceptional chamber music. The concert will be held at Opera America’s National Opera Center, a cultural cornerstone in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood that serves as the nation’s leading champion for American opera.
Beyond his performance career, Hu is also a dedicated educator, teaching piano, theory, and composition to students of all ages. His teaching philosophy emphasizes both technical proficiency and artistic expression, reflecting his belief that education extends beyond music and the classroom.
About Jiazhou Conroy Hu: A dedicated musician and educator, Jiazhou Conroy Hu holds a Master of Music from Mannes School of Music – The New School and has performed extensively across New Zealand and the United States. His repertoire spans classical masterworks to contemporary compositions, including his own acclaimed works. As a collaborative artist, he has worked with numerous ensembles and orchestras, bringing his distinctive musical vision to diverse audiences. Recent performance venues include Opera America, Klavierhaus, Steinway Hall, and various prestigious concert halls across New Zealand and the United States.
Journalist: Ethan Sun
