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August 23, 2013

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Generations of musicians make music together

The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra opens its new season in September with a series of concerts featuring local musicians of different generations.

In the first concert on September 13, 23-year-old pianist Zhang Haochen, a post-90s musician, will cooperate with the orchestra conducted by Yu Long at the Shanghai Concert Hall.

On September 14 Zhang will perform a chamber music concert with the orchestra under the baton of Yu Long.

On September 15, 80-year-old Huang Xiaotong leads the orchestra in the first program, followed by other programs conducted by his students, themselves distinguished conductors.

On September 21, 32-year-old pianist Song Siheng, from the post-80s generation, will cooperate with the orchestra conducted by Lin Daye.

The chamber concert on September 15 was to be a cooperation between Zhang and his teacher Gary Graffman, but 85-year-old Graffman was unable to be present, because of his health.

On the 15th, Zhang will perform Beethoven’s Piano Sonata in E Major and Chopin’s Piano Sonata in B Minor. He will cooperate with the orchestra in Franck’s Piano Quintet in F Minor.

Zhang began studies at the age of four and has studied with distinguished Chinese pianists. He won competitions in Asia before he became Graffman’s student in 2005 when he was recruited by the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

“With Graffman, I had to learn many programs in a short period of time, while trying to figure out my own style in the process,” says Zhang. In nine months, he mastered four concertos and other programs for four, 90-minute recitals.

He is not averse to being called a genius.

“I think of myself as a talented pianist with confidence,” he says.

“This gives me incentive to move ahead. I hope that with more life experience, I will gain a better understanding of music.”

Diverse programs will be performed on September 15, presented by 80-year-old conductor Huang, conductors Yu Long and Chen Xieyang, among others.

The program will include the overture to Verdi’s “La Forza Del Destino,” the overture to Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,”  Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers” and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.”

Huang has devoted himself to music education throughout the years and rarely appears on stage nowadays, though he is considered a giant in conducting, says conductor Yu, the artistic director of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

“It is an honor for all of us to have Huang conducting this time in his 80th year. I hope that more people will appreciate his greatness,” says Yu.

 

Season Opening Concert

Date: September 13, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall

Address: 523 Yan’an Rd E.

Tickets: 60-500 yuan

 

Zhang Haochen Chamber Concert

Date: September 14, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall

Address: 523 Yan’an Rd E.

Tickets: 60-300 yuan

 

Concert for Huang Xiaotong

Date: September 15, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center

Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd

Tickets: 60-500 yuan

 

Song Siheng — Rachmaninoff Concert

Date: September 21, 7:30pm

Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall

Address: 523 Yan’an Rd E,

Tickets: 60-500 yuan

Tel: 6217-2426,6217-3055

 




 

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