Congratulations to John Chen and his colleagues Luanne Homzy and Peter Myers: The Saguaro Trio took first prize at the International Chamber Music Competition Hamburg (ICMC) on Saturday night, 26 September 2009 in Germany. The ensemble also won a prize earlier in the competition for the best performance of a work by Brahms. Distinguished pianist Menahem Pressler (Beaux Arts Trio) was chairman of the Jury. Third place was awarded to the Orbis Trio from the Czech Republic. The jury awarded no second place. The prize includes a concert tour, cash, and a CD.

This first place win solidifies the reputation of the Saguaro Trio as one of the most thoughtful and engaging young ensembles in the classical music world today. Formed in January 2007 at the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, Canadian Violinist Luanne Homzy, American Cellist Peter Myers, and New Zealand Pianist John Chen, each 23 years of age, placed third in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in the United States last year, and then second in the 6th Osaka International Chamber Music competition in Japan the same month. The Saguaro were finalists at the very first competition they entered, the Coleman Chamber Music Competition in 2007. John Chen himself was the youngest-ever winner of the Sydney International Piano Competition in 2004.

The Saguaro Piano Trio has performed in the USA, Canada and Japan. They were awarded a place on the Claude and Pamela Frank Young Artists Concert, which included a performance in December 2008 at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The Saguaro Piano Trio reside in Los Angeles.

Download Press Release

Link to the Saguaro Trio Website

 

"…brings to mind those few really creative interpreter-pianists like Richter and Serkin"

Clive O'Connell, The [Melbourne] Age

“[Chen] introduced himself with magnificence and mega-chords... When a virtuoso line was called for, as in the final cadenza, Chen responded with torrential brilliance.”

William Dart, New Zealand Herald

"Chen's interpretation of the [Liszt B minor] sonata showed an astonishing maturity."

Peter Shaw, New Zealand Listener