Play It Forward – Cyrus Ngan
Music that inspires one of 2024 All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors, Cyrus Ngan.
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Meet Cellist Cyrus Ngan. One of All Classical Radio’s Youth Artist Ambassadors for 2024.
We recently asked Cyrus what pieces of music have inspired him to become the musician he is today. Here are a few of his selections.
Viva La Vida – Coldplay, David Garrett
Viva La Vida holds a special place in my heart, and as my piano teacher María puts it, “it
makes you want to fly.” While not exactly “classical” music, Garrett’s rendition is one of my
favorite versions of this Coldplay hit.
What Makes You Beautiful – The Piano Guys
The Piano Guys were a major influence on my musical journey. Watching them cover this
piece opened my eyes to all the ways that a single piano could be utilized simultaneously to
make music.
Country Gardens – Grainger
I first heard this piece on the Muppet Show, where Fozzie and Rowlf perform a number with
this duet. Watching them mash the keyboard and banter amongst themselves led me to find
friends to make music with. Although often chaotic, it pays off with lots of laughter.
Wedding Day at Troldhaugen – Grieg
Troldhaugen was the first piano piece I ever fell in love with. With simple melodies, Grieg
captures both the exhilaration of wedding celebrations and the reflection of the procession.
While I have yet to comprehend that type of felicity, this piece makes me feel very happy
nonetheless.
Chopsticks – Liberace
Liberace’s Chopsticks is the epitome of perfected overcomplication. He blows up a simple
melody to extreme proportions, smothered with nods to Lizst & topped with a full
symphonic arrangement.
Carnival of the Animals – Saint-Saëns
When my mother took six-year-old me to watch this suite for the first time at an outdoor
concert, I was instantly hooked. From the power of a lion’s roar to the tranquility of a school
of fish, this work unlocked my imagination and appreciation for the symphony.
Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) Movement 4 – Dvorak
The New World Symphony was one of three major symphonic works that I had always
wanted to experience in person. Two years ago, I had the incredible privilege to actually
perform it. I still remember the adrenaline pounding in my chest during the massive brass
fanfares in this movement.
About Cyrus
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Cyrus Ngan, a senior at Clackamas High School, was initially attracted to the drum set as a child. Fortunately, his parents managed to convince him to take up piano instead. He later picked up the cello in middle school because “it sounded cool, and he wanted to sit down.” Today, Cyrus studies piano with María García and cello with Erin Ratzlaf.
In 2024, Cyrus won the 30th Cognizart Young Artists Debut! Competition, alongside fellow ambassador Haruka Sakiyama. On piano, he was the co-winner of the 2023 Metropolitan Youth Symphony Concerto Competition. On cello, he had the privilege of serving as the principal cellist of the 2024 Oregon Music Education Association All-State Symphony Orchestra and currently holds the same position in the Metropolitan Youth Symphony. Cyrus co-founded the Pacific Rose Ensemble, a local organization that helps young artists to present their work to the community. Cyrus enjoys amateur photography and breadmaking, is a varsity & club swimmer, and often wonders if he has the lung capacity for a woodwind.