Di Xiao
Encyclopedia
Di Xiao，肖荻 is a classical piano soloist originally from China, named in the top 10 up and coming Chinese pianists by International Piano Magazine in 2009. Di Xiao is currently based in the UK.
Amsterdam, (Konzerthaus, Vienna
) , Salzburg Mozarteum, Stockholm Concert Hall
(Konserthaus), Luxembourg Philharmonie and many more. Following her Köln Philharmoie recital their press stated that “Di Xiao presents a demanding programme that takes your breath away.” Di Xiao continues to thrill audiences across the world performing regularly outside the UK in Europe and Asia. Di Xiao’s stated aim is “to become an international ambassador for the piano, combining both Chinese and Western repertoire in the programming of my concerts, thereby creating a bridge between two cultures.”
Beijing. She graduated from the latter with one of the highest marks in the history of the Conservatory. In 2005 she was awarded a full scholarship by Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied under Mark Racz, now Deputy Principle at The Royal Academy of Music
London, and Professor Malcolm Wilson. Respected by the musical elite, Di Xiao has had the honour of private master classes with Alfred Brendel
, John Lill
, Peter Donohoe and Simon Trpčeski
.
’s Yellow River Piano Concerto in Kuala Lumpur
and Penang for the Malaysian Royal Family. Di has subsequently been invited to perform as a soloist in many countries including Malaysia, Ukraine
, Singapore
, India
, China
and the UK. In the UK, her concert performances have received much acclaim. Her debut at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
in 2006 was described by the UK Chinese Times as “A stunning concert!” and an early performance of the Schumann Concerto (Piano Concerto (Schumann)
) prompted The Birmingham Post
to say “In her graceful, dancing finale it was easy to imagine Clara Schumann
at the keyboard.”. Di has appeared in a number of important music festivals including Berman Musikfest (Germany), ISA music Festival (Austria), New Generation Arts Festival (UK), Buxton Arts Festivals (UK) and Leamington Music Festival (UK). In October 2010, she played for her home town’s inaugural International Classical Music Festival in GuangZhou, China.
. Di Xiao second album, Journey, was recorded in January 2011 and is due for release in the Summer. Di Xiao will begin recording the entire piano works of Ravel in August for SOMM Recordings. The artist has been interviewed by a number of leading magazines and radio stations including Classic FM
and BBC Radio 3
. In February 2011 Di Xiao featured on BBC Radio 3
's In-Tune programme as a prelude to her St Martin-in-the-Fields
debut when, during a 30 minute slot, Di Xiao was interviewed by host Sean Rafferty
and played live on air. Additionally, many of Di’s live performances were recorded and transmitted on radio stations across Europe.
, Sergei Prokofiev
and Olivier Messiaen
. She has a keen interest in Chinese classical folk music and contemporary piano works. Involved in a number of collaborations, she works with artists including Julian Lloyd Webber
and EMI guitarist Xuefei Yang.
Introduction
Described as “a pianist of awesome gifts" by the Birmingham Post, the Chinese pianist Di Xiao recently concluded a major international recital tour representing the U.K as part of the universally acclaimed European Concert Halls Organisation (ECHO) 'Rising Stars' series. The tour included sell out concerts at the ConcertgebouwConcertgebouw
The Concertgebouw is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Dutch term "concertgebouw" literally translates into English as "concert building"...
Amsterdam, (Konzerthaus, Vienna
Konzerthaus, Vienna
The Konzerthaus in Vienna was opened 1913. It is situated in the third district just at the edge of the first district in Vienna. Since it was founded it has always tried to emphasise both tradition and innovative musical styles.In 1890 the first ideas for a Haus für Musikfeste came about...
) , Salzburg Mozarteum, Stockholm Concert Hall
Stockholm Concert Hall
The Stockholm Concert Hall is the main hall for orchestral music in Stockholm, Sweden. Designed by Ivar Tengbom and inaugurated in 1926, it is the home to the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. It is also where the awarding ceremony for the Nobel Prizes, Polar Music Prize are held annually....
(Konserthaus), Luxembourg Philharmonie and many more. Following her Köln Philharmoie recital their press stated that “Di Xiao presents a demanding programme that takes your breath away.” Di Xiao continues to thrill audiences across the world performing regularly outside the UK in Europe and Asia. Di Xiao’s stated aim is “to become an international ambassador for the piano, combining both Chinese and Western repertoire in the programming of my concerts, thereby creating a bridge between two cultures.”
Education
Di Xiao’s education included study at the Odessa Conservatoire, under the eminent Professors A. M. Bougaevski and G. V. Popova and the Central Conservatory of MusicCentral Conservatory of Music
The Central Conservatory of Music is the national leading music school in Beijing, China.Founded in 1950, the Conservatory offers courses to both Chinese nationals and foreign students, and caters for all levels from primary up to postgraduate programmes...
Beijing. She graduated from the latter with one of the highest marks in the history of the Conservatory. In 2005 she was awarded a full scholarship by Birmingham Conservatoire where she studied under Mark Racz, now Deputy Principle at The Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
London, and Professor Malcolm Wilson. Respected by the musical elite, Di Xiao has had the honour of private master classes with Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel KBE is an Austrian pianist, born in Czechoslovakia and a resident of the United Kingdom. He is also a poet and author.-Biography:...
, John Lill
John Lill
John Lill CBE is an English classical pianist.-Biography:Lill studied at the Royal College of Music and with Wilhelm Kempff. His talent emerged at an early age, as he gave his first piano recital at the age of nine. At age 18, he performed Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto under Sir Adrian Boult...
, Peter Donohoe and Simon Trpčeski
Simon Trpceski
Simon Trpcheski , OMM , is a Macedonian classical pianist. In 2002, he received his degree in music from the University of St. Cyril and St. Methodius in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, where he studied with Professor Boris Romanov...
.
Prizes and Awards
Di Xiao enjoyed success in competition from and early age wining the Most Outstanding Young Musician of Guangdong Province Award aged just 16. Since then she has won many national and international prizes including; the Ludlow Philharmonic Concerto Prize in 2005, the Birmingham Symphony Hall Prize in 2006, a Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal in 2007 and, in the same year, first prize in the Brant International Piano Competition. In 2009 she was acknowledged among the top 10 most promising young Chinese pianists by International Piano MagazineInternational career
Di’s international career started at 17 when she played Yin ChengzongYin Chengzong
Yin Chengzong is a Chinese pianist and composer.-Biography:Born on the "Piano Island" of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, Fujian, in the People's Republic of China...
’s Yellow River Piano Concerto in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
and Penang for the Malaysian Royal Family. Di has subsequently been invited to perform as a soloist in many countries including Malaysia, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and the UK. In the UK, her concert performances have received much acclaim. Her debut at Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Symphony Hall is a 2,262 seat concert venue located inside the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, England. It was officially opened by the Queen in June 1991, although had been opened on April 15, 1991. It is home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hosts around 270 events...
in 2006 was described by the UK Chinese Times as “A stunning concert!” and an early performance of the Schumann Concerto (Piano Concerto (Schumann)
Piano Concerto (Schumann)
The Piano Concerto in A minor, Op.54, is a famous Romantic concerto by Robert Schumann, completed in 1845.Schumann had begun several piano concerti before this one: In 1828, he had begun one in E-flat major; from 1829-31 he worked on one in F major, and in 1839, he wrote one movement of a concerto...
) prompted The Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
The Birmingham Post newspaper was originally published under the name Daily Post in Birmingham, England, in 1857 by John Frederick Feeney. It was the largest selling broadsheet in the West Midlands, though it faced little if any competition in this category. It changed to tabloid size in 2008...
to say “In her graceful, dancing finale it was easy to imagine Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann
Clara Schumann was a German musician and composer, considered one of the most distinguished pianists of the Romantic era...
at the keyboard.”. Di has appeared in a number of important music festivals including Berman Musikfest (Germany), ISA music Festival (Austria), New Generation Arts Festival (UK), Buxton Arts Festivals (UK) and Leamington Music Festival (UK). In October 2010, she played for her home town’s inaugural International Classical Music Festival in GuangZhou, China.
Recording and Broadcast
In 2008 Di Xiao released her debut Album “Di Xiao Presents” The album was well received and broadcast on a number of stations including BBC Radio 3BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
. Di Xiao second album, Journey, was recorded in January 2011 and is due for release in the Summer. Di Xiao will begin recording the entire piano works of Ravel in August for SOMM Recordings. The artist has been interviewed by a number of leading magazines and radio stations including Classic FM
Classic FM
Classic FM may refer to:*Classic FM , a British classical music radio station**Classic FM TV, a British classical music television channel*ABC Classic FM, an Australian classical music radio station run by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
and BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
. In February 2011 Di Xiao featured on BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
's In-Tune programme as a prelude to her St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields
St Martin-in-the-Fields is an Anglican church at the north-east corner of Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, London. Its patron is Saint Martin of Tours.-Roman era:Excavations at the site in 2006 led to the discovery of a grave dated about 410...
debut when, during a 30 minute slot, Di Xiao was interviewed by host Sean Rafferty
Sean Rafferty
Sean Rafferty is a Belfast-born Northern Irish broadcaster now best known for his work on BBC Radio 3.A graduate in Law of Queen's University, Belfast, Rafferty's original career was as an accountant. Meeting the head of BBC Northern Ireland at a conference led to him working as a researcher for...
and played live on air. Additionally, many of Di’s live performances were recorded and transmitted on radio stations across Europe.
Repertoire
Xiao’s repertoire reflects a broad spectrum of interests with a wide range of musical styles. Her range extends from the works of Mozart and Ludvig van Beethoven to Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century...
and Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex ; harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations...
. She has a keen interest in Chinese classical folk music and contemporary piano works. Involved in a number of collaborations, she works with artists including Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber
Julian Lloyd Webber is a British solo cellist who has been described as the "doyen of British cellists".-Early life:Julian Lloyd Webber is the second son of the composer William Lloyd Webber and his wife Jean Johnstone . He is the younger brother of the composer Andrew Lloyd Webber...
and EMI guitarist Xuefei Yang.