At 11 years old, she performed her first major performancewith an orchestra.

At 12 years old, she won her first international competition.

At 22 years old, she won 2nd prize at the Canadian Chopin Competition.

And later this year in 2025, Athena Deng will be competing for the greatest piano prize of all at the International Chopin Competition.

Join Amos Vang on the first miniseries episode of “The Road to Warsaw” as he features the legend of Athena Deng. Amos and Athena discuss in great detail Athena’s career, achievements and experiences (including those at the 2025Canadian Chopin Competition), as well as the intricacies of musicality and excellent piano performance. Amos andAthena also discuss the legacy of Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin and the impact of Chopin’s music on the world, along with the importance of the International Chopin Competition.

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0:00 – Introduction

3:03 – What inspired Athena Deng to pursue piano?

4:10 – Piano is the hockey equivalent for ethnic Chinesepeople like Amos Vang and Athena Deng

5:48 – What were the early influences on Athena Deng’s styleof playing piano?

7:15 – Athena Deng is a major fan of the great MarthaArgerich!

8:07 – What were Athena Deng’s favorite memories with herearly years as a young pianist?

9:18 – Athena Deng explains the ideal hand position forplaying piano.

10:44 – What were the greatest challenges that Athena Dengfaced early on?

14:35 – Similar to sports such as hockey, rewatching one’sown piano performances is highly important for pianists to fix their flaws.

17:07 – At 11 years old, Athena Deng made her majororchestral performing debut. What was itlike for her?

21:17 – Martha Argerich’s performance of Prokofiev’s PianoConcerto No. 3 influenced Athena Deng’s performance.

23:29 – What were the most important lessons that AthenaDeng learned from her orchestral debut?

27:00 – At 12 years old, Athena Deng won her firstinternational competition. How does sheprepare for these competitions?

33:31 – How do pianists such as Athena Deng and Amos Vangadapt to different pianos?

37:48 – What does Athena Deng look for in a piano?

39:35 – What is it like to study with Dang Thai Son?

41:29 – Dang Thai Son

42:53 – Athena Deng’s performance of Chopin’s “FuneralMarch”

46:11 – What sparked Athena Deng to embark on the Road toWarsaw?

48:11 – What was Athena Deng’s mindset going into theCanadian Chopin Competition?

50:17 – What was Athena Deng’s feelings during each round ofthe Canadian Chopin Competition?

53:20 – Athena Deng describes the experience of winning 2ndprize at the Canadian Chopin Competition

54:13 – What is Athena Deng’s mindset going into theInternational Chopin Competition?

57:00 – Considering Chopin’s letters in musical performance

59:35 - Krzysztof Jablonski

1:00:26 – Understanding Chopin’s intentions is veryimportant yet difficult.

1:01:45 – Paderewski edition vs. Ekier edition/PolishNational Edition. Which one is the most accurate and faithful to Chopin?

1:02:50 – Who is Chopin to Athena Deng?

1:06:32 – What is musicality to Athena Deng?

1:07:31 – Why is Chopin’s music so profound and impactful topeople?

1:10:29 – Practice is important!

1:14:56 – How to do bel canto singing while playing Chopin’smusic?

1:23:12 – Athena Deng played on period instruments! How did they sound, and how are they different from modern pianos?

1:24:57 – People’s sense of hearing has diminished in the 21stcentury.

1:32:55 – How does Athena Deng develop her musical style?

1:35:15 – Piano performance is like method acting. Amos Vanguses the example of Martin Scorsese.

1:38:35 – What are the worst misconceptions about classicalmusic? How can we get more people torelate with classical music?

1:49:10 – What are the most rewarding aspects of AthenaDeng’s career?

1:50:58 – What advice would Athena Deng give to those whowant to pursue a career in classical music, especially piano?

1:52:28 – Outro