Robert Uchida & Philip Chiu
Biography Robert Uchida & Philip Chiu
Robert Uchida
Canadian violinist Robert Uchida has been hailed for his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity” (Strings magazine). He has worked as concertmaster, chamber musician and soloist with many of the world’s leading artists and orchestras. From 2006 to 2013, he was concertmaster of Symphony Nova Scotia and now holds the same position with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
He holds a master’s degree in violin performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Ottawa.
He performs on the “Dawes, de Long Tearse” Guadagnini violin with Peter Infeld strings by Thomastik-Infeld Vienna.
Philip Chiu
A pianist-painter who transforms each musical idea into a beautiful array of colours” (La Presse), Philip Chiu is acclaimed for his brilliant pianism, sensitive listening, and a stage presence that eschews the hermit-pianist image and favours openness, authenticity and dialogue with audiences.
Winner of the 2023 Juno for Best Classical Solo Album, and inaugural winner of the Mécénat Musica Prix Goyer, Philip has become one of Canada’s leading musicians through his infectious love of music and his passion for creation and communication. Philip concertizes extensively as soloist and chamber musician and has performed solo recitals, concerti and chamber music concerts in most major venues across Canada, as well as in France, Japan, and the United States. Chamber music partners have included James Ehnes, Emmanuel Pahud, Régis Pasquier, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Bomsori Kim, Johannes Moser, and the New Orford String Quartet; he also has a long-standing violin-piano duo with Jonathan Crow. Philip is a veteran touring artist of Prairie Debut, Jeunesses Musicales Canada, and Debut Atlantic, having toured the country 14 times with their generous support.
His solo album Fables, awarded a 2023 Juno Award, is part of an in-progress triptych (ATMA Classique), presenting original commissions from distinguished composers such as Barbara Assiginaak, Anishinaabekwe composer and recipient of the Order of Ontario (2019) and Order of Canada (2023), alongside the music of Ravel and Debussy. Other recent recording projects include a recording/concert project with Pentaèdre honouring the music of Jacques Hétu (ATMA Classique) recognized by Le Devoir as “A useful disc, superbly performed.” Philip has recorded for Warner Music, ATMA Classique, Analekta, Leaf Music and CBC Music. He can be heard regularly on BBC Radio 3, France Musique, ICI Musique, and CBC Music.
