African American composer Florence Price’s “Piano Concerto in One Movement” is brought to vivid life by young guest pianist Zhu Wang, at this second concert celebrating southern artists, this time in conjunction with the Mississippi Museum of Art’s A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration exhibit. Bernstein’s dance episodes from “On the Town”, Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm Variations”, and Copland’s marvelous and beloved “Appalachian Spring” complete this extraordinary all-American evening. Tickets $29 & up; students/children (ages 4-18) $5
*For distanced seating, please select available seats in Section I or IV of the Lower Balcony when purchasing tickets online.
(Box office will reopen at 6:30pm on evening of concert at Thalia Mara Hall.)
Leonard Bernstein Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
I. The Great Lover Displays Himself
II. Lonely Town: Pas de deus
III. Times Square: 1944
Florence Price Piano Concerto in One Movement
Zhu Wang, piano
*Celebrating Artists of “The Great Migration”
INTERMISSION
George Gershwin Variations on “I Got Rhythm”
Zhu Wang, soloist
Aaron Copland Appalachian Spring
Zhu Wang, pianist
Praised by the Durango Herald as “technical mastery and a deep sense of lyricism”, and Fou Ts’ong as “incredible talent with a natural feeling of harmony and imagination,” pianist Zhu Wang’s sensitive and engaging performances exhibit a remarkable depth of musicianship and poise. Winner of the 2020 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Zhu showcases his artistry as a passionate soloist and dedicated chamber musician.
Zhu’s upcoming season includes solo recital debuts at Carnegie’ s Zankel Hall and Kennedy Center, world premiere performances of Nina Shekhar’s work for solo piano, Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and appearances with rising violinist Randall Goosby with San Francisco Symphony Recital Series, 92nd Street Y, and Merkin Hall.
Zhu has performed across the U.S. and internationally at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Kammermusiksaal of Berliner Philharmonie, Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, and Shanghai Concert Hall. Since his orchestral debut at age 14 with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, where he performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.21, he has soloed with Salzburg Chamber Soloists, Zermatt Music Festival Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Brunensis Virtuosi Orchestra, San Juan Symphony, and Xiamen Philharmonic.
As an avid chamber musician and new music promoter, Zhu has world-premiered Timo Andres’s Moving Etudes (2017). He has performed in festivals such as Kneisel Hall, Four Seasons Chamber Music Workshop, Lake Como International Piano Academy, and Perlman Music Program.
A native of Hunan, China, Zhu began learning piano at the age of 5 where he trained at Music Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music with Zhe Tang, and Fou Ts’ong. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School, attaining his Bachelor of Music degree, and received the Gina Bachauer and Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship. Zhu is currently pursuing his artist’s diploma at the Curtis Institute of Music, under the guidance of Robert McDonald.
Zhu gratefully acknowledges the support from Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts.
(*photo credits: Caitlin Ochs, Jiyang Chen, Kevin Condon)
Wang’s appearance made possible by:
GRACE P. and S. SHINN LEE CHARITABLE FUND
If distanced seating is preferred, please select available seats in Sections I or IV of the Lower Balcony when purchasing tickets online.
♦ TICKETS MAILED UNTIL TUESDAY BEFORE CONCERT (unless otherwise requested). After 10AM Tuesday, they can be picked up at Will Call beginning 6:30p on evening of concert at Thalia Mara (located on 1st level, against escalator–look for WILL CALL signs). ♦
⇒ Box Office will reopen at The Hall prior to concert at 6:30p ⇐
Bravo seat pricing/color codes: (green) MAIN = $29 (blue) PREMIUM = $39 (yellow) LOGE = $48 (pink) CONNOISSEUR = $58 (white) CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE = $76
(Free parking available for ticket-holders on concert evenings at City Centre Garage, across the street from Thalia Mara Hall. Accessible parking available on West Street side of the Hall.)