My name is Nichanan Valanaraya. My passion for piano began when I first attended a group class (Junior Music Course) run by Yamaha Music School at 6 years old. My feeling then and now is that there is so much to explore at the piano. After entering Princess Galvani Vadhana Institute of Music, I participated in masterclasses taught by artists including Prof. Kenneth Hamilton, Prof. Tom Beghin, Jovanni-Rey V de Pedro, Karla Haltenwanger, Prof. Dieter Mack, Park Jong Hwa, and Prof. Reichert Aviram. The more I learn about music, the less I think I know.

In my undergraduate studies, I learned how to paint a piece of music using my fingers as brushes. As my technique improves, I find I can create sounds that express anything my imagination can envision. My ears and visions are opened up to more possibilities and I continue to get better as a performer. Performing on stage allows me to become another character - like an actress - where I can freely express myself. My most memorable performance is of “The Cat and the Mouse” by Aaron Copland in my freshman year. The piece, which was relatively new to me, allowed me to create my own story freely. This experience not only made me more passionate about music but also gave me more confidence.

I have always been impressed with the fact that the arts can be universal tools of communication that are bounderless and reach beyond nationality and language barriers. Ideas are transformed and represented in other people’s eyes through all forms of art. Besides music, I also have an interest in fashion and designs. Combining my interests in various arts with music is my new approach to music performance. For example, in my junior year, I did a research project on the relationships between food, music and emotional memories. I applied this research to my junior recital by performing alongside animations illustrated by my friend, a graphic designer. I also was a costume designer for the 5th Anniversary Concert of PGVIM.  

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Solo Repertoire:

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Bach, Johann Sebastian

Repertoire List

•Book 1
- Prelude and Fugue no. 5 in D major, BWV 850 - Prelude and Fugue no.2 in C minor, BWV847 •Partita No. 2, C Minor, BWV 826

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Beethoven, Ludwig van

•Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, op. 10, no. 1 •Sonata in E flat Major, No. 26, op. 81a

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Brahms, Johannes

•Klavierstucke Op. 119, No. 1-Intermezzo No. 2- Intermezzo, No. 4- Rhapsodie

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Copland, Aaron

•The cat and the mouse

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Chopin, Frederic

•Etude op.10 no.5
•Etude op.10 no.9
•Scherzo No. 3, C Sharp Minor, op. 39

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Grieg, Edvard

•Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16

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György Kurtag

•Jatékok Volume 2- Hommage à papp laci

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Muczynski, Robert

•The Suite op. 13 - Festival, Vision, Scherzo

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Poulenc, Francis

•Trois Pieces, Toccata

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Scarlatti, Domino

•Sonata B Minor K27-L449 •Sonata G major K14-L387

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Schulholff, Erwin

•Toccata sur le Shimmy “Kitten on the Keys” de Zez Confrey

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Uzong Choe

•Prelude No. 4

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Chamber Repertoire :

 

Debussy, Claude

•Petite Suite, No. 1 “En bateau” for piano four hands

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Mcphee, Colin

•Balinese Ceremonial Music, No. 1 "Pemangkat" for two pianos

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Menotti, Gian Carlo

•Trio for Clarinet, Violin and Piano

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Milauh, Darius

•Trio for two violins and piano, op. 15, no. 1 •Suite op. 157b, Trio for Violin, Clarinet and piano

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Poulenc, Francis

•Capriccio d'après Le Bal Masqué for Two pianos

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Shostakovich, Dmitri

•Five pieces for two violins and Piano

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Stravinsky, Ignor

•L'Histoire du soldat for Violin, Clarinet and piano