NICHOLAS HO
Pianist-Composer
"A gifted young artist" - Fanfare Magazine, USA
"Ho displayed dazzling technique [and] bravura" - The Straits Times, Singapore
Biography
About Nicholas
Hailed as a “gifted young artist” (Fanfare Magazine, USA), Singaporean pianist and composer Nicholas Ho has appeared throughout Asia and North America in both capacities. Notable performances in recent seasons include a New York City debut at Steinway Hall, and an American concerto debut with the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago. This season, Nicholas features in recitals in Singapore, Phnom Penh, Munich, and Texas.
In 2006, Nicholas appeared in the Channel NewsAsia mini-documentary series, “Wonder Kids of Asia”, and went on to have his concerto debut with Mozart’s 14th Piano Concerto in 2007. He had subsequently made several concerto appearances with various orchestras in Singapore, with works including Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto, Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, and the world premiere performance of Robert Casteel’s Concerto pour piano et orchestra de chambre. His performance of Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto was described by The Straits Times as “electrifying”. Also an avid recitalist, Nicholas has given numerous recitals in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for various charitable causes. In addition, he has also given Asian and American premieres of new solo piano works. Mr. Ho was a Piano Fellow at the 2018 Manchester Music Festival, where he performed major chamber works including Schumann’s Piano Quintet, Shostakovich’s Piano Trio no. 1, and Milhaud’s La Creation du Monde.
Nicholas holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he received a full-tuition scholarship. He also holds Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (Distinction) from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, as well as a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. His teachers and mentors include Ong Lip Tat, Tedd Joselson, Edward Auer, and Ran Dank. Amongst various accolades, Nicholas was awarded the Jury Special Prize at the 5th Asian Youth Music Competition Open Category in 2012, Second Prize at the 2018 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, and First Prizes at both the CCPA and CCM Concerto Competitions.
Also a composer, Nicholas studied composition with eminent Singaporean composer Tan Chan Boon. His output includes two sets of art songs, a Sonata for Violin and Piano, and a Piano Sonata. Recently completed compositional projects include a monumental set of 12 Études for solo piano, which will soon be released commercially. Eminent pianist, composer, and writer Sir Stephen Hough describes Nicholas’ Twelve Etudes as “an important addition to the repertoire…full of invention, colour and virtuosity, combining intellectual rigour with emotional warmth.”
Nicholas is an Arabesque Records artist, having released his debut commercial recording, Illumine, consisting of works by Carter, Ho, and Rachmaninoff on the New York based label. Huntley Dent on Fanfare proclaimed Nicholas as an pianist possessing a technique that is “powerful and fluent” and as an artist with a “poetic nature”. A second recording on Arabesque, Interplay, exploring sonata-form works by Schumann, Ho, and Barber, has also been released in September 2022. His recordings have been broadcast on important radio stations over the globe, including WQXR and WGXC in New York, WFMT in Chicago, WGUC in Cincinnati, KMFA and WRR in Texas, and KUSC and KALW in California.
Nicholas also enjoys solving puzzles; he developed the "Sandwich Method", a direct-solving method for higher order Rubik's cubes (4x4x4 and above).
DISCOGRAPHY
Interplay: Nicholas Ho plays Robert Schumann, Nicholas Ho, and Samuel Barber
Arabesque Records Z6986
Robert Schumann: Fantasie in C major, Op. 17
Nicholas Ho: Piano Sonata, Op. 8
Samuel Barber: Piano Sonata Op. 26
Released: September 2022.
Illumine: Nicholas Ho plays Elliott Carter, Nicholas Ho, and Sergei Rachmaninoff
Arabesque Records Z6940
Elliott Carter: Piano Sonata (1945–46)
Nicholas Ho: Inner States of Mind, Op. 3
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 36
Released September 2020.
NICHOLAS HO
Twelve Études, Op. 11
World Premiere Performance
Robert J. Werner Recital Hall,
Cincinnati, OH
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF
Piano Concerto no. 3 in D minor, op. 30:
III. Finale. Alla breve
Sir Manasseh Meyer Concert Hall
ELLIOTT CARTER
Piano Sonata (1945–46)
I. Maestoso – Legato scorrevole
Sir Stephen Hough
on Mr. Ho’s Twelve Études, Op. 11.
“Nicholas Ho’s Etudes are an important addition to the repertoire. They are full of invention, colour and virtuosity, combining intellectual rigour with emotional warmth.”
Fanfare Magazine
on Mr. Ho’s debut album, Illumine, on Arabesque Records.
“From the opening measures of the [Rachmaninoff] sonata the Singapore-born Ho, displays the right instincts… impassioned without being blowsy, Ho’s technique is fluent and powerful … Ho’s take on Elliott Carter’s Piano Sonata … [is] a compelling reading … For someone [so young] to have the intellectual capacity for penetrating Carter’s sonata and then to realize a performance that communicates so naturally to the listener is remarkable.”
The Straits Times,
on Mr. Ho’s performance of the Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto.
“Altogether … confident was Nicholas Ho who tackled Prokofiev’s Third Piano Concerto with fearless aplomb…the effect was electrifying.”
Recent and Upcoming Performances
April 26, 2025
An Evening with Ravel
RAVEL: Selections from Miroirs and Gaspard de la nuit
Victoria Concert Hall
Singapore
https://artshouselimited.sg/vtvch-whatson-details/music/an-evening-with-ravel
September 19, 2024
Nicholas Ho, pianist and composer, in Recital
MOZART: Fantasy in D minor, K. 397
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO, U.S.A.
September 13, 2024
CON FUOCO: Nicholas Ho, pianist and composer, in Recital
MOZART: Fantasy in D minor, K. 397
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
Garland Performing Arts Center
Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
September 6, 2024
Nicholas Ho, pianist and composer, in Recital
MOZART: Fantasy in D minor, K. 397
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
The Woodlands Diversion
Lone Star College Montgomery
The Woodlands, TX, U.S.A.
https://www.thewoodlandsdiversion.org/
September 4, 2024
Nicholas Ho, pianist and composer, in Lecture-Recital
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
Collin College
McKinney, TX, U.S.A.
August 30, 2024
Nicholas Ho, pianist and composer, in Recital
MOZART: Fantasy in D minor, K. 397
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
Roxy Grove Hall, Baylor University
Waco, TX, U.S.A.
August 11, 2024
ODYSSEY: Nicholas Ho in Recital
MOZART: Fantasy in D minor, K. 397
LISZT: Sonata in B minor, S. 178
an interweaving of CHOPIN, RACHMANINOFF, & HO etudes:
CHOPIN: Op. 10/1, 6, 12
RACHMANINOFF: Op. 39/1, 4, 5
HO: Op. 11/1, 9, 12
Black Earth Recital Studio, Singapore
https://odysseypiano.peatix.com
July 14, 2024
Invictus: Around the World in Song
with Shaun Lee, Tenor
Ho: Five Songs, Op. 10 [European Premiere]
Barber: The Daisies, from Three Songs, Op. 2
Wagner: Schmerzen from Wessendonck Lieder, WWV 91
Eggert: In der letzten Nacht, from Neue Dichter Lieben
Rachmaninoff: Zdes'Khorosho from Twelve Romances, Op. 21
Ho: Études I, IX, and XII from Twelve Etudes, Op. 11 [European Premiere]
Ho: Chicken Rice from SingBites, Op. 12 [European Premiere]
Ho: Invictus from Three Songs, Op. 7 [European Premiere]
Gasteig HP8, Kleiner Saal
https://www.muenchenticket.de/tickets/performances/eg5g6lemkdg0/Invictus-Songs-from-Around-the-World
June 28, 2024
Invictus: Around the World in Song
with Shaun Lee, Tenor
Ho: Five Songs, Op. 10
Barber: The Daisies, from Three Songs, Op. 2
Strauss: Zueignung, from Op. 10
Wagner: Schmerzen from Wessendonck Lieder, WWV 91
Eggert: In der letzten Nacht, from Neue Dichter Lieben [Singapore Premiere]
Rachmaninoff: Zdes'Khorosho from Twelve Romances, Op. 21
Ho: Études I, IX, and XII from Twelve Etudes, Op. 11
Ho: Chicken Rice from SingBites, Op. 12 [Singapore Premiere]
Ho: Invictus from Three Songs, Op. 7
MusArt Co-Create Concert Hall, Singapore
https://peatix.com/event/4017184/view
February 23, 2024
IU Singapore Chapter Alumni Event
with Lynette Lim, violin, and Jonathan Lee, viola.
Ho: When the Shy Star Goes Forth in Heaven, from Five Songs, Op. 10 (chamber edition)
Brahms: Finale from Horn Trio
Hollandaise Club, Singapore
December 23, 2023
I'll be Home for Christmas
with Jed Huang, flute, Shaun Lee, tenor, and Ashley Chua, soprano
Gruber: Silent Night
Bach-Gounod: Ave Maria
Debussy: Clair de Lune
Schubert: Ave Maria
Kent: I'll be Home for Christmas
Trad.: Still Still Still
Mozart: Rondo for Flute and Piano, K. 184
Martin & Blane: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Wells & Tormé: The Christmas Song
Adam: O Holy Night
Mozart: Andante for Flute and Piano, K. 315
Berlin: White Christmas
Watts: Joy to the World
Ho: Sérénade sous les étoiles, Op. 14 [world premiere]
Black Earth Recital Studio, Singapore
October 8, 2023
Invictus
with Shaun Lee, Tenor
Ho: Five Songs for Tenor and Piano, Op. 10 [world premiere]
Barber: The Daisies, from Three Songs, Op. 2
Strauss: Zueignung, from Op. 10
Wagner: Schmerzen from Wessendonck Lieder, WWV 91
Ho: Invictus, from Three Songs, Op. 7
Baroque House, Singapore
September 16, 2023
Pearls of the Orient
starring as pianist/composer
Ho: Strings in the Earth and Air from Five Songs for Tenor and Piano, Op. 10 [world premiere]
Ho: Étude XI. "Stars" after Sara Teasdale from Twelve Études, Op. 11
Lee Foundation Theatre, Singapore
August 25 and August 26, 2023
Flute and Piano Recital at Baroque House
with Jed Huang, flute
Bach-Gounod: Méditation sur le premiere Prélude de J.S. Bach
Massenet: Meditation from Thaïs
Morricone: Gabriel's Oboe
Huë: Fantaisie pour flute et piano
Debussy: Beau Soir and Rêverie
Ho: from Three Songs for Mezzo-soprano and Piano, Op. 7: Loss and If Love of Mine
Bach: Andante from Flute Sonata No. 5
Chen Yue: 绿野仙踪
Piazzola: Nightclub 1960 from Histoire du Tango
Baroque House, Singapore
August 20, 2023
Recital at Himawari Hotel Apartments
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, "Moonlight"
Schumann: Des Abends from Fantasiestück, Op. 12
Chopin: Selections from Twelve Études, Op. 10: Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12
Debussy: Claire de Lune
Schumann/Liszt: Widmung
Rachmaninoff: Selections from Études-Tableaux, Op. 39: Nos. 4, 5, and 1
Himawari Hotel Apartments
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
January 31, 2023
Recital at Victoria Concert Hall
Haydn: Piano Sonata No. 53 in E minor, Hob XVI/34
Horowitz: Waltz in F minor, Danse Excentrique, Étude-Fantaisie in E-flat major, Op. 4, and Fragment douloureux, Op. 14
Dick Lee: Yehenara (arr. Nicholas Ho)
Nicholas Ho: Twelve Études, Op. 11 (Asian Premiere)
Victoria Concert Hall
Singapore
P a s t C o n c e r t s
April 24, 2022
D.M.A. Lecture-Recital
Addinsell: Warsaw Concerto*
Jacob TV: The Body of Your Dreams for piano and boombox
Radiohead/O'Riley: Thinking About You, Exit Music (for a film)
Freddie Mercury/Bence: Don't Stop Me Now
* with Tianmi Wu, orchestral reduction
Mary Emery Hall, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
March 31, 2022
D.M.A. Chamber Recital
with Jeremy Ho, Emily Haynes, Wei-Jung Vera Hsu, Jade McClellan, Muning Wang, and Audrey Hudgens
Bach/Kurtag: Two Selections
Nicholas Ho: Elegy, for flute, cello, and piano, Op. 6b [World Premiere]
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major
Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
January 28, 2022
All Nicholas Ho Recital
Nicholas Ho:
Two Études, Op. 2 [rev. 2022]
If Love of Mine [song transcription]
Twelve Études, Op. 11 [U.S. Premiere of Book I, World Premiere of Book II]
Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
November 12, 2021
CCM All Stars
Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings
with Michael Mergen, trumpet, CCM Philharmonia, and Kevin Holzman, conductor
Patricia Corbett Theater
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
October 26, 2021
D.M.A. Solo Recital
Chopin: Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1
Schumann: Fantasie in C major, Op. 17
Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 1
Robert J. Werner Recital Hall
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
September 28, 2021
Recital at Esplanade Recital Hall
Chopin: Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 no. 1
Schumann: Fantasie in C major, Op. 17
Jacob TV: The Body of Your Dreams for piano and boombox
Nicholas Ho: Book I (nos. 1–6) of Twelve Études, Op. 11 [World Premiere]
Esplanade Recital Studio
Singapore
March 21, 2021
Debut Recital at Esplanade Recital Hall
Haydn: Sonata no. 53 in E minor, Hob XVI/34
Nicholas Ho: Piano Sonata, op. 8 [World Premiere], Schubert/Liszt: Ständchen
Liszt: Chasse-neige from Transcendental Études
Barber: Piano Sonata, Op. 26
Esplanade Recital Studio
Singapore
March 12, 2020
D.M.A. Chamber Music Recital
with Joseph Vaz, Abigail Grosch, and Andrii Isakov
Adams: Hallelujah Junction
Nicholas Ho: Three Songs, op. 7, and Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 5
Mary Emery Hall 3250, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
February 9, 2020
American Concerto Debut
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto no. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
CCPA Symphony Orchestra
Maestro Emanuele Andrizzi
Harris Theater
Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
January 5, 2020
Recital
Beethoven: "Waldstein" Sonata
Nicholas Ho: Inner States of Mind
Liszt: "Dante" Sonata
Manesseh Meyer Hall
Singapore
December 2, 2019,
Private Recital
Bach: Partita no. 1
Beethoven: "Waldstein" Sonata
Nicholas Ho: Inner States of Mind, Liszt: "Dante" Sonata
At the residence of Roger Press
London, U.K.
October 3, 2019,
New York City Debut Recital
Bach: Partita no. 1
Carter: Piano Sonata
Ho: Inner States of Mind
Liszt: "Dante" Sonata
Steinway Hall
New York City, NY, U.S.A.
July 29, 2019,
Recital
Bach: Partita no. 1
Carter: Piano Sonata
Nicholas Ho: Inner States of Mind
Liszt: "Dante" Sonata
Himawari Hotel Apartments
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
April 29, 2019
Student Composition Recital
Nicholas Ho: Three Songs, op. 7
January 22, 2019
Graduate Recital
Bach: Partita no. 1
Carter: Piano Sonata
Beethoven: "Waldstein" Sonata
Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall
Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
October 27, 2018
Student Composition Recital
Nicholas Ho: Sonata for Violin and Piano, op. 5 (mvts I & II)
with Justine Teo, violin
Rudolph Ganz Memorial Hall
Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
August 5, 2018
Manchester Music Festival
Milhaud: La Creation du Monde, op. 81b
with Isabella Egawa, Hee Yeon Kim, David Montreuil, and Cheuk-Yan Leung
Arkell Pavilion, Southern Vermont Arts Center.
Manchester, VT, U.S.A
July 22, 2018
Manchester Music Festival
Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, op. 44
with Mäithéna Girault, Hee Yeon Kim, Hsuan-min Chang, and Cheuk-Yan Leung
Arkell Pavilion, Southern Vermont Arts Center.
Manchester, VT, U.S.A.
July 15, 2018
Manchester Music Festival
Shostakovich: Piano Trio no. 1, op. 8
with Isabella Egawa and Rajan Kapoor
Arkell Pavilion, Southern Vermont Arts Center.
Manchester, VT, U.S.A.
Contact
For bookings and more information, please contact
North America:
Elizabeth Stevens
+1 (214) 315-2486
Asia/Other:
Joey Chien
+65 96728747
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