Mei Yi lives in London and enjoys playing chamber music with Shlomy Dobrinsky, Cristina Ortiz, Dimitri Ashkenazy, soloists of the Philharmonia Orchestra, as well as working with prominent composers such as Dai Fujikura and Unsuk Chin. “Mei Yi Foo is a unique musician, who has played my Piano Etudes with astounding perfection and creativity.” - Unsuk Chin
ailed “a pianist to watch” by BBC Radio 3, “Rising Star” by International Piano Magazine, and the winner of the Maria Callas Grand Prix, Mei Yi Foo has captivated audiences across Europe at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Wigmore Hall, Verona Filarmonica, Megaron Athens and Finlandia Hall.
"The young Malaysian Mei Yi Foo and our own master pianist, Antti Siirala, managed all the difficulties [Faust Symphony] with ease. The collaboration in their duo playing was on an almost TELEPATHIC scale, making the piano version a fully equal alternative to the original version."
Hufvudsstadsbladet, 2011
Hufvudsstadsbladet, 2011
CREATIVITY ITSELF… "MeiYi Foo’s performance of Ravel “Gaspard de la Nuit” caused the temperature in the concert hall to rise several degrees.”
Helsinki Sanomat, 2001
Helsinki Sanomat, 2001
MARIA CALLAS GRAND PRIX 2008
"...Malaysian Mei Yi Foo answered with the popular Concerto No.3 by Prokofiev in a reading dominated by complete control and expression. EXTREME VIRTUOSITY, FLAWLESS, quick and sparkling performance, masterful display of the playful polyrhythmic nature of the work and fine execution of the lyrical phrases contributed to an energy level comparable to that of an athletic showcase..."
Eleftherotypia, 2008
"...Malaysian Mei Yi Foo answered with the popular Concerto No.3 by Prokofiev in a reading dominated by complete control and expression. EXTREME VIRTUOSITY, FLAWLESS, quick and sparkling performance, masterful display of the playful polyrhythmic nature of the work and fine execution of the lyrical phrases contributed to an energy level comparable to that of an athletic showcase..."
Eleftherotypia, 2008
“Her joie de vivre was infectious… Foo’s technical mastery was close to flawless… a maturity beyond her years… ”
Straits Times, 2008
Straits Times, 2008
“Once again, Foo wows with her touch, clarity and NATURALNESS."
International Piano, 2005
International Piano, 2005
IT'S GREAT TO BE YOUNG
"Together with Kirill Karabits the young soloist Mei Yi Foo showed her abilities with the Fourth and last of the Rachmaninoff piano concertos... Behind her delicate figure and elegant interpretive style, she reveals a POWERFUL VISION of the work."
Granada Hoy, 2007
"Together with Kirill Karabits the young soloist Mei Yi Foo showed her abilities with the Fourth and last of the Rachmaninoff piano concertos... Behind her delicate figure and elegant interpretive style, she reveals a POWERFUL VISION of the work."
Granada Hoy, 2007
"A great thinker, she stimulates audiences at a moment's notice with her fresh, unique and brilliant interpretations... Mei Yi, with trumpeter Philipp [hutter] alongside, igniting the whole caboosh into A STATE OF CONFLAGRATION. A great performance - all stops pulled out!!"
Musical Opinion, 2011
Musical Opinion, 2011
"a distinct character as a player…"
The Independent, 2001
The Independent, 2001
“From Bach to Liszt Mei Yi Foo reveals herself an ARDENT PIANIST... Impeccable performance.
L'Arena.it, 2008
L'Arena.it, 2008
She worked alongside conductors such as Matthias Bamert, Martyn Brabbins, Claus Peter Flor, János Fürst and Christopher Warren-Green; with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony, Helsinki Philharmonic, Hong Kong Sinfonietta, London Chamber Orchestra and Malaysian Philharmonic. Her appearances bring her from St Petersburg to Granada where critics praised her “unusual interior strength” together with her “personal, intelligent and unique interpretation” (La Opinion Granada). This season, Mei Yi has been invited to appear at the Castletown Festival by Lorin Maazel, and to work with Mitsuko Uchida in Aldeburgh. She recently inaugurated the new season 2011/12 for the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra at Kuala Lumpur’s Twin Towers and was awarded the medal of Setiawan Tuanku Muhriz for her contribution towards art and music in her home country.