About
“I’ve always loved being in nature—observing the changing seasons, the intricate details of the landscape, and the beauty of natural sounds—all of which inspire my creative process. I often find that the calmness of nature helps me connect with my inner self, allowing me to translate my state of mind into musical expression.”
Shangru Du says his musical journey began at the age of 6 when he first started learning the piano: “I was fascinated by the instrument—the feeling of the keys, the sound, the challenge of learning repertoire, and the satisfaction that came with mastering something new.” But it was some years later that discovering historical recordings by Rachmaninov, Cortot, and Hofmann made him truly fall in love with music. “The extraordinary musicianship and artistry of those masters inspired me, showing me how the piano could express not just notes, but profound emotion and poetic storytelling.” A native of Shandong, China, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, studying with 2001 Cliburn Gold Medalist Stanislav Ioudenitch and Matti Raekallio, and went on to earn his master’s at The Juilliard School with Matti Raekallio and Jerome Lowenthal. He’s now pursuing a doctoral degree at the Eastman School of Music with Douglas Humpherys.
Shangru has performed in venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, and collaborated with orchestras including the Eastman Philharmonia and the Boulder Symphony. He has taken home a number of first prizes, including at the Yamaha Music Scholarship Piano, International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival (solo and concerto), and Rubato International Piano Competitions. In addition to piano, he studied composition with Philip Lasser at Juilliard and conducting with Brad Lubman at Eastman, seeking to develop a deeper understanding of orchestral and ensemble leadership. He still finds his greatest inspiration in the same place it all started: “the great composers and pianists of the past. Their ability to convey profound emotions and feelings through music compels me to explore the depth and nuance within each piece I perform.”
Competition Repertoire
Preliminary Round
- TCHAIKOVSKY Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, op. 19, no. 4
- RAVEL Gaspard de la nuit
- BARTÓK Three Etudes, op. 18
- MONTERO Rachtime
Quarterfinal Round
- BEETHOVEN Fantasia, op. 77
- SCRIABIN Fantasy in B Minor, op. 28
- RACHMANINOV "Polichinelle" from Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3
- LISZT Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata
Semifinal Round - Recital
- CLARA SCHUMANN Mazurka in G Major, op. 6, no. 5
- SCHUMANN Davidsbündlertänze, op. 6
- CHOPIN Polonaise in B-flat Major, op. 71, no. 2
- SCRIABIN Waltz in A-flat Major, op. 38
- LISZT Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Semifinal Round - Mozart Concerto
- MOZART Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major, K. 503
Final Round - Concerto 1
- BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, op. 73
Final Round - Concerto 2
- RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, op. 30