Thai-Chinese-American pianist presents two works on this program by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Moritz Moszkowski for this Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert broadcast.
Pianist-Architect Mayta Liu Lerttamrab has taken a unique path in his musical endeavors. The Thai-Chinese-American pianist has one of the most diverse backgrounds comparing to other musicians around the world. Known for his intense and passionate interpretations in his performance, Mayta continues to silence all who doubt his improbable music career, while erasing musicianship level gap between Thai and International musicians.
Raised in Bangkok, Thailand, music was not a big part of Mayta’s early life. Instead, he grew up as a typical youngster playing basketball and soccer. Mayta obtained an undergraduate degree in Architecture at the University of Oregon, and embarked upon a business career for several years in Thailand and China after graduation. Unlike most musicians who may receive professional training as early as 5 years old, Mayta defied the norm when he pursued his passion as a pianist at the age of 26. In 2008, he became the first Thai pianist to be officially accepted into graduate program of the world renowned Indiana University’s Jacob School of Music as a student of Arnaldo Cohen. He was immediately offered Associate Instructorship position upon his enrollment, and eventually received Master of Music degree under the tutelage of Jean-Louis Haguenauer. Despite his unusual background, he has had the opportunity to be coached by many great artists such as Dean Kramer, and Robert McDonald. His principle teachers during doctorate studies were Edmund Battersby and André Watts.
Mayta has been performing all across the US, and was invited to perform for Thai royalties including princess Maha chakri Sirindhorn. He has performed solo and concerto works, and has served as jurors for piano competitions in Asia. En route to obtaining his doctorate degree, he gave lectures on America’s most celebrated composer George Gershwin, and has become the first pianist in the world to compose and perform an alternate cadenza for Gershwin’s Concerto in F.