In 1993, his elimination before the final round of the Van Cliburn Competition caused enormous controversy. Frederic has played around the world both as solo pianist and as guest soloists with many orchestras. In addition to his piano playing, he frequently teaches master classes and co-founded (along with violinist Philippe Graffin) the chamber music festival "Consonance" in Saint Nazaire, France. Frederic records exclusively for Harmonia Mundi France and plays Yamaha pianos.

Chiu and Prokofiev

Frederic Chiu began his recording career in 1991, with the release of his debut album -- a collection of transcriptions that contained but one work of Prokofiev. In that same year, he released the complete Piano Sonatas of Prokofiev, garnering several awards and much acclaim. Frederic eventually recorded Prokofiev's complete solo piano works, spanning nine volumes. He demonstrates a profound understanding of Prokofiev's music and his dazzling technique shows through on many of his recordings.

Frederic is also skilled in the art of transcription -- his transcription of the Lieutenant Kije Suite garnered much deserved praise when he included the works in his public recitals. He finally recorded all of the movement in Volume IX of his traversal of the Prokofiev solo piano repetoire.

Among the three modern pianists who have tackled Prokofiev's entire solo piano repetoire (i.e. Boris Berman, Oleg Marshev, and Chiu), Chiu's readings are perhaps the most deeply insightful -- he reveals ideas and phrasings in Prokofiev's piano works previously undiscovered. His Prokofiev discs have won numerous awards, including a Diapason D'Or for the complete Piano Sonatas. The series has also been received with consistent praise from the press and audiences alike, the most fitting coming from The American Record Guide, "Mr. Chiu shows himself at one with this music. This is a perfect match between composer and interpreter. The sound is ideal."