It was refreshing to read these very deeply contemplative thoughts of a young musician about to graduate with honours from the Royal Academy of Music in London where she has spent the last seven years of her life. Dedicating her youth to a search for artistic freedom and mastery I was delighted to have a preview of her actual Graduation performance at the National Liberal Club.

‘ Some beautifully crafted playing of great intelligence.Her Mozart was simple and beautiful with sparkling playing of great weight.Playing of great poise in the slow movement of aristocratic beauty.The last movement sprang from her agile fingers with a ‘joie de vivre’ that was of great rhythmic energy and finesse.
The Chopin Variations op 2 are the ones that Schumann on hearing Chopin play them in Paris was to remark ‘Hats off a genius’.A very well prepared performance of great musicality and intelligence where the technical difficulties were incorporated into a musical shape of beguiling style.A jeux perlé that flowed with teasing ease from her agile fingers.A fine performance that just missed the charm and grace of a show piece written especially as a visiting card for the young Chopin as he played in the Salons of the aristocratic Parisian families of his day.’
Christopher Axworthy Florence October 2023

The Asia Circle is directed by Yisha Xue who dedicates her time to helping exceptionally talented young musicians.

Choosing an eclectic programme from composers who at her same age had written the works that she was now playing with the mastery and insight of a young musician about to embark on the greatest adventure of her life – that of sharing her music with others on the world stage.

‘ Helen Meng gave a ravishing performance full of subtle beauty and a kaleidoscope of bewitching sounds. A scintillating sense of style and a masterly command of the keyboard from a young artist recently graduated from the Royal Academy from the class of Joanna McGregor. Helen had also studied at the International Piano Academy Lake Como whose president is another lady pianist Martha Argerich’. Christopher Axworthy June 2025

Young musicians flying high at the National Liberal Club thanks to Yisha Xue and the NLC Asia Circle

Montecatini International Piano Competition Final in the historic Teatro Niccolini in Florence.

Helen had been a finalist in the Montecatini International Competition that I had written about a few years ago