Inspiration… “Mighty Shadow.” These two words for me conjure tensions between vigor and vulnerability, inspiration and intimidation, sacredness and secularism. And these emotions and ideas weave throughout this album’s masterworks in Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme by Corelli. Mussorgsky penned his most well-known work on the death of his great friend Viktor Hartmann, using his paintings as a foundation to forever enshrine his memory. Rachmaninoff’s last major piano work stands as a self-reflection as the composer casts a look back across his entire life. These works have long been special to me. My first experience with Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition was at the age of 10 when my teacher played Ravel’s orchestral version and asked me to imagine the paintings. Upon learning the work was in fact originally for piano I promised myself I would one day perform it and tell their stories in my own musical voice. Discovering the connection between music and another art form was a powerful moment that I will always remember. Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Corelli has deep emotional meaning for me. This piece caught my attention around the time I learned of my grandmother’s death, and I have since associated it with her and her memory. She was one of the most important people in my life. Every day after school she would slowly make her way down the stairs from her apartment to visit. After asking about my day, she would stay and listen to me practice. Thinking of her today, I hear the lonesome theme of this work. One year after her passing, I celebrated my first recital in the National Recital Hall in Taipei, and dedicated this masterwork to her as a remembrance of her kindness and love. Pianist Alexander Kobrin has impacted me tremendously. Though he is just 10 years my senior, his influence has lifted my playing to new levels. He helped me realize musical emotions are not always pleasant and it is just as important to experience suffering as well as joy in the notes. If the performer does not connect to all possible emotions, how could the audience? Both works on this recording are full of color and energy, ranging in emotion from tragic to heroic—from a formal Spanish court dance to wild flamenco flares. The listener is transported to many different places and through many powerful passions. I wish to thank the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University for making their beautiful Legacy Hall available. This recording was made possible with the assistance of the following people at Columbus State University to whom I offer my heartfelt thanks for their support: Scott Harris, Peter Hurley, Ramy Inocencio, Rick Kinsel, Alexander Kobrin, Matthew McCabe, Tatiana Muzanova, Sally Philips, and Victor Rosenbaum, as well as the amazing team at AHOY STUDIOS for this album’s exceptional design. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank my parents and my family for always supporting me through my musical endeavors.