Haochen Zhang
Encyclopedia
Haochen Zhang (born June 3, 1990) is a Chinese pianist
from Shanghai
, China.
He, along with Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii
, was the Gold Medalist / First Prize winner of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009. He has studied under Gary Graffman
, also the teacher of Lang Lang
and Yuja Wang
.
"Zhang impressed with depth of musical understanding and subtle expressive nuance . . . at the competition's end, he was the musician I'd walk across town to hear."
- Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
In June 2009, Haochen Zhang became the youngest and the first Chinese competitor to be awarded the prestigious Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
. As part of his prize package, Haochen Zhang received commission-free artist management from the Van Cliburn Foundation
for three seasons following the competition. Immediately after his Gold Medal win, Haochen Zhang embarked on an extensive three-year tour across the United States and abroad.
Haochen Zhang gave his debut recital at the Shanghai Music Hall at the age of five, performing all of Bach’s two-part inventions, as well as sonatas by Haydn and Mozart. His orchestral debut was made at the age of six and he was awarded first prize at the Shanghai Piano Competition at the age of seven and nine. Following this success, at the age of eleven, he gave tours in all the major cities in China performing the complete Chopin Etudes op.10, Beethoven and Mozart Sonatas. At age twelve, Haochen Zhang won the 4th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians
, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the competition. In 2004, he made his debut at the 49th International Chopin Festival in Duszniki, Poland, performing the complete Chopin Etudes op.25. Mr. Zhang has performed with the China National Symphony Orchestra
, Krakow State Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
, Philadelphia Orchestra
, London Philharmonic Orchestra
and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
, and has concertized throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.
In 2005, Haochen Zhang moved to the United States to attend the Curtis Institute of Music
and to study under the world renowned Gary Graffman
. The year following, he made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra
performing Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto
. Haochen Zhang was the youngest winner of the China International Piano Competition and in 2008 at the age of eighteen, he made his Carnegie Hall
debut with the New York Youth Symphony
performing Mozart's D minor Concerto
(K.466) and the world premiere of a commissioned work by Ryan Gallagher. He also has broad interests in many other fields, including history, literature, etc. He is currently on the list of IMG Artists
.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
from Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China.
He, along with Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii
Nobuyuki Tsujii
Nobuyuki Tsujii is a Japanese pianist and composer who shared the First Prize at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009 in a tie with co-winner Haochen Zhang of China.-Background:...
, was the Gold Medalist / First Prize winner of the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009. He has studied under Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman is an American classical pianist, teacher of piano and music administrator.Graffman was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents. Having started piano at age 3, Graffman entered the Curtis Institute of Music at age 7 in 1936 as a piano student of Isabelle Vengerova...
, also the teacher of Lang Lang
Lang Lang
Lang Lang may refer to:* Lang Lang , Chinese pianist* Lang Lang, Victoria, a town in Australia* Lang Lang River, a river in Gippsland, Victoria, Australia* A character from the Japanese manga Steam Detectives-See also:...
and Yuja Wang
Yuja Wang
Yuja Wang is a Chinese classical pianist. She was born in Beijing, began studying piano there at age six, and went on to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.-Early life:...
.
Biography
"Zhang . . . demonstrated a musical maturity almost unimaginable in one so young.""Zhang impressed with depth of musical understanding and subtle expressive nuance . . . at the competition's end, he was the musician I'd walk across town to hear."
- Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News
In June 2009, Haochen Zhang became the youngest and the first Chinese competitor to be awarded the prestigious Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition was first held in 1962 in Fort Worth, Texas and is hosted by Van Cliburn Foundation. It was created by Fort Worth area teachers in honor of Van Cliburn, who had won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition four years prior with Tchaikovsky's...
. As part of his prize package, Haochen Zhang received commission-free artist management from the Van Cliburn Foundation
Van Cliburn Foundation
The Van Cliburn Foundation is host to the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, the International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs™, Musical Awakenings® education programs, and Cliburn Concerts.-Mission:...
for three seasons following the competition. Immediately after his Gold Medal win, Haochen Zhang embarked on an extensive three-year tour across the United States and abroad.
Haochen Zhang gave his debut recital at the Shanghai Music Hall at the age of five, performing all of Bach’s two-part inventions, as well as sonatas by Haydn and Mozart. His orchestral debut was made at the age of six and he was awarded first prize at the Shanghai Piano Competition at the age of seven and nine. Following this success, at the age of eleven, he gave tours in all the major cities in China performing the complete Chopin Etudes op.10, Beethoven and Mozart Sonatas. At age twelve, Haochen Zhang won the 4th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians
International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians
The International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians is the junior section of the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition. The competition is open to musicians under the age 17 in the area of piano, violin, and cello...
, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the competition. In 2004, he made his debut at the 49th International Chopin Festival in Duszniki, Poland, performing the complete Chopin Etudes op.25. Mr. Zhang has performed with the China National Symphony Orchestra
China National Symphony Orchestra
The China National Symphony Orchestra is China's national orchestra....
, Krakow State Philharmonic, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is a symphony orchestra located in the state of New Jersey, United States. Philip James founded the orchestra in 1922. The orchestra is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Neeme Järvi, the NJSO's music director from 2005 to 2009, is currently the orchestra's...
, Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
, London Philharmonic Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra
The London Philharmonic Orchestra , based in London, is one of the major orchestras of the United Kingdom, and is based in the Royal Festival Hall. In addition, the LPO is the main resident orchestra of the Glyndebourne Festival Opera...
and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is an influential orchestra in China. The music director is Long Yu.It was founded in 1879 as Shanghai Public Band, one of the earliest orchestras in Eastern Asia. It was renamed to Shanghai Municipal Council Symphony Orchestra in 1922. Starting in 1919, an Italian...
, and has concertized throughout Asia, Europe, and the United States.
In 2005, Haochen Zhang moved to the United States to attend the Curtis Institute of Music
Curtis Institute of Music
The Curtis Institute of Music is a conservatory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that offers courses of study leading to a performance Diploma, Bachelor of Music, Master of Music in Opera, and Professional Studies Certificate in Opera. According to statistics compiled by U.S...
and to study under the world renowned Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman
Gary Graffman is an American classical pianist, teacher of piano and music administrator.Graffman was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents. Having started piano at age 3, Graffman entered the Curtis Institute of Music at age 7 in 1936 as a piano student of Isabelle Vengerova...
. The year following, he made his debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
performing Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto
Piano Concerto No. 2 (Rachmaninoff)
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, is a concerto for piano and orchestra composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff between the autumn of 1900 and April 1901. The second and third movements were first performed with the composer as soloist on 2 December 1900...
. Haochen Zhang was the youngest winner of the China International Piano Competition and in 2008 at the age of eighteen, he made his Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
debut with the New York Youth Symphony
New York Youth Symphony
The New York Youth Symphony is a tuition-free music organization for youth in New York City. Its programs include its flagship symphony orchestra, Chamber Music program, Jazz Band Classic, Apprentice Conducting, and Making Score. Its members range from 12 to 22 years of age...
performing Mozart's D minor Concerto
Piano Concerto No. 20 (Mozart)
The Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1785. The first performance took place at the Mehlgrube Casino in Vienna on February 11, 1785, with the composer as the soloist.-Background:...
(K.466) and the world premiere of a commissioned work by Ryan Gallagher. He also has broad interests in many other fields, including history, literature, etc. He is currently on the list of IMG Artists
IMG Artists
IMG Artists LLC is a top universal performing arts management corporation that was acquired by International Management Group in 1984. Chairman and CEO of IMG, Mark McCormack, bought out Hamlen/Landau, a small, New York based artist-management music agency, founded by Charles Hamlen and Edna...
.