“Nothing was more delicious...” — The Times Review

Nominated as one of BBC Music Magazine's Rising Stars of 2024, Xiaowen Shang's recent career highlights include performing at the BBC Proms with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a duo performance with Steven Isserlis at Apsley House, and appearances as both a solo pianist and harpsichordist at Wigmore Hall with Brett Dean, Lawrence Power, and the Nash Ensemble in April. Additionally, she was invited to give an interview with Sean Rafferty and perform live on BBC Radio 3's In Tune to promote her debut album, Music of Silence, released by Linn Records as part of the Academy Bicentenary Series. The album has been featured in seven different Apple Music playlists and has received positive reviews from various broadcast channels, including Scala Radio and Radio Kraków Kultura.

Xiaowen Shang is a versatile pianist, harpsichordist, and musician with a passion for early, classical, and contemporary music. Her repertoire spans from Renaissance composers such as Antonio de Cabezón and William Byrd to contemporary composers like Harrison Birtwistle and Brett Dean. She has collaborated with renowned musicians and composers including Steven Isserlis, Joanna MacGregor, Rachel Podger, Brett Dean, Dame Imogen Cooper, Lawrence Power, and Adrian Brendel. Xiaowen is also enthusiastic about working across different art forms, including live visuals, theatre, and improvisation with silent films.

Currently, Xiaowen is studying piano with Joanna MacGregor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she is completing her second year of a Master of Music degree as a Bicentenary Scholar. She received her Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours and was awarded the Edwin Samuel Dove Prize for special merit. Her recent accolades include winning the First Prize at the Jacob Barnes Award with her trio, Temporal Harmonies Inc., in November; the First Prize at the Beethoven Piano Society of Europe Senior Intercollegiate Competition in March 2023, along with the Beethoven Medal; and the First Prize at the WCOM Harriet Cohen Bach Competition. Xiaowen is also a Young Artist of The Worshipful Company of Musicians.

As an active performer, Xiaowen has played at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Brighton Dome. She has also performed as a soloist and chamber musician at numerous festivals, including the Brecon Festival, Petworth Festival, and Dartington Festival. Some of her upcoming engagements include a tour with Scottish cellist Hugh Mackay in Scotland, a performance of Grieg's Piano Concerto with the Bushey Symphony Orchestra, a UK tour with YCAT young artist Charlotte Spruit, a solo recital in Bucharest, and regular performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra. Starting in September, Xiaowen will also be continuing her studies as a PhD student on a scholarship at the Academy.