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 Great Migration exhibition. 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
[Box office will reopen at 6:30pm on evening of the concert at Thalia Mara Hall]
*In compliance with the City of Jackson ordinance, masks are required.
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 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 2020 Young Concert Artists International Audition, 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 Kenney Center, world premiere performances of Nina Shekhar’s work for solo piano, Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement with Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and appearances with rising violinist Randall Goosby in San Francisco Symphony Recital Series, 92nd Street Y and Merkin Hall.
Zhu has performed across the US and internationally at prestigious venues such as The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Kammermusiksaal of Berliner Philharmonie, Warsaw Philharmonic Concert Hall, Shanghai Concert Hall. Since his orchestral debut at age 14 with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, where he performed Mozart 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 study at the Juilliard School for his Bachelor of Music degree where he received Gina Bachauer and Mieczyslaw Munz Scholarship. Zhu is currently pursuing his artist diploma at Curtis Institute of Music, under the guidance of Robert McDonald.
Zhu gratefully acknowledges the support from Bagby Foundation for the Musical Arts.
(*photo credit Jiyang Chen).
*In compliance with the City of Jackson ordinance, masks are required throughout the performance.
♦ 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 the West Street side of the Hall.)