13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist–Zhang Haochen–debuts in Singapore

The Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO) presents Gold Medalist of the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Zhang Haochen, in three nights of music extravaganza with Haochen’s Yellow River (SCO) on 22 and 23 July and his solo Piano Recital on 24 July.

These concerts will also be Zhang Haochen’s debut performance in Singapore.

In Haochen’s Yellow River, 21-year-old young prodigy Zhang Haochen will join Music Director Tsung Yeh and the SCO in the well-known and also one of the most iconic Chinese piano concertos – The Yellow River Piano Concerto. This four-movement masterpiece, arranged by Yin Chengzong based on the Yellow River Cantata by composer Xian Xinghai, has been performed by many major orchestras and pianists. In this concert, we’ll see Zhang Haochen’s rendition of this piece. Established UK composer Eric Watson’s The Land Beneath the Wind, a piece specially commissioned by SCO, will world premiere in this concert.

Following the two-night concerts, Zhang Haochen will play a selection of piano masterworks in his solo Piano Recital to enchant the audience. Pieces include Debussy’s Preludes, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 “Appassionata”, Liszt’s Ballade No. 2 in B minor, Schumann’s Kinderszenen, Op.15 and Prokofiev’s Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83.

For those who would like to come up close to Zhang Haochen to know more about his musical experiences and pianistic techniques, he will hold a Piano Workshop on 20 July, 2.30pm. Admission to the Piano Workshop is free.

Zhang Haochen is the youngest gold medalist at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. His amazing talent on the piano was first discovered when he became the youngest winner of the 2007 China International Piano Competition, then aged 17. Zhang Haochen is a highly sought after musician and had performed extensively around the world. He is frequently invited to prestigious music festivals and had participated in many, such as the Colorado’s Aspen Music Festival, the OK Mozart Festival and the 49th International Chopin Festival. In 2009, he returned to China, participating at the Beijing Music Festival. Zhang Haochen currently lives in Philadelphia, where he studied under Gary Graffman at the Curtis Institute of Music.

Concert details:
Piano Workshop
Date: 20 July 2011 (Wednesday)
Time: 2.30pm
Venue: SCO Concert Hall
Free admission (only to Piano Workshop)

Haochen’s Yellow River (SCO)
Date: 22 & 23 July 2011 (Friday & Saturday)
Time: 8pm
Venue: SCO Concert Hall

Performers
Tsung Yeh     conductor
Zhang Haochen piano
Singapore Chinese Orchestra

Ticket Prices (exclude SISTIC fee)
$95, $75, $55, $35, $25

Haochen Zhang’s Piano Recital
Date: 24 July 2011 (Sunday)
Time: 5pm
Venue: SCO Concert Hall

Ticket Prices (exclude SISTIC fee)
$55, $45, $35, $25

Tickets to all 3 nights are available from SISTIC (6348 5555 / www.sistic.com.sg).