By: Sienna Brown
NEW YORK, NY – The Sunü Quartet’s highly anticipated Winter Concert, rescheduled to Friday, March 14th, proved that timing is no barrier to musical excellence. Led by acclaimed pianist Jiazhou Conroy Hu, the ensemble delivered a captivating performance at the Norman S. Benzaquen Hall in The DiMenna Centre for Classical Music, transforming a potential setback into an evening of remarkable chamber music.
“The balance between instruments was outstanding,” remarked one audience member following the concert, while another enthusiastically shared that “the Sunü Quartet was beyond amazing.” These sentiments echoed throughout the venue as the quartet—featuring Hu on piano alongside violinist Mikayla Chan, violist Jacob Rollins, and cellist Veronika Alter—navigated through a program that included Mozart’s Piano Quartet No. 1 in G Minor, K. 478 and Mendelssohn’s Piano Quartet No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 3 with exceptional artistry.
The evening’s program also showcased the individual talents of the quartet members, with Veronika Alter performing the Prelude from Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, Jacob Rollins and Hu collaborating on Brahms’ Viola Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 120 No. 2, and Hu delivering a striking rendition of Liszt’s Étude de Concert – La leggierezza, S.144 No. 2.
For Hu, who serves as both Music Director and Principal Pianist of the ensemble, the success was particularly meaningful. “It’s nice to finally have months of work and preparation pay off,” he reflected after the performance. “We’re already looking towards the future and putting together our next concert in a shorter time frame.”
The New Zealand-born pianist’s journey to this moment has been marked by dedication and bold choices. Born to immigrant parents from Shanghai, China, Hu began his piano studies at age 8, demonstrating remarkable aptitude by completing his ABRSM grade 5 exam just eighteen months later. While initially pursuing a joint degree in Engineering and Music at the University of Auckland, he made the pivotal decision to focus exclusively on music—a choice that has since defined his flourishing career.
Hu’s exceptional talent was recognized early on, notably in 2016 when he secured third place in the New Zealand Youth Piano Competition, a special event marking a visit by world-renowned pianist Lang Lang. The award ceremony featured Lang Lang himself presenting the prize—a defining moment captured in photographs showing the young pianist alongside the celebrated virtuoso. Hu also distinguished himself as a finalist in the prestigious Wallace National Junior Piano Competition, further solidifying his determination to pursue a career in performance.
His orchestral collaborations reflect this commitment to his craft, having performed with major ensembles including the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Nelson Symphony Orchestra, and Auckland Symphony Orchestra. His repertoire spans from Bach’s intricate Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 to Tchaikovsky’s monumental Piano Concerto No. 1, showcasing remarkable versatility.
Beyond his impressive performance career, Hu has established himself as an outstanding piano educator in New York City’s vibrant music community. He currently holds a key teaching position at Music To Your Home, one of the largest music schools in the New York metropolitan area, where his pedagogical expertise has made him an invaluable member of the faculty. His teaching approach, which emphasizes both technical mastery and artistic expression, has attracted numerous students seeking to develop their musical abilities under his guidance.
“Having some of our students attend the concert was also an opportunity to inspire them and have them understand the things we say as teachers,” Hu explained after the performance, “linking the things we say to the result of our performance.” This integration of performance and pedagogy illustrates the approach that has made Hu such an effective educator.
Hu’s background in historical keyboard instruments—including harpsichord, clavichord, and fortepiano—brings unique historical insight to both his performances and teaching. This specialized knowledge, gained during his studies at the University of Auckland’s School of Music (home to one of New Zealand’s largest collections of historical keyboards), informs his nuanced approach to piano literature across different periods.
Now based in New York City following his studies at the renowned Mannes School of Music, Hu continues to balance his career as performer, composer, educator, and collaborative artist. His position at Music To Your Home represents an important facet of his commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians, while his work with the Sunü Quartet demonstrates his ongoing dedication to chamber music.
The success of the March 14th concert, despite its rescheduling, underscores both Hu’s resilience and artistic vision—qualities that characterize his rising career as he contributes to New York’s classical music ecosystem as both performer and educator.