Recital

Recital

Alvin Zhu has performed Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Gershwin, and Rachmaninoff concertos with orchestras around the world, appearing at Alice Tully Hall, Steinway Hall, Sydney Opera House, Beijing Concert Hall, Palais du Congress,  Fletcher Hall and the Amphitheater in Chautauqua, Sprague Hall at Yale University, and Joan and Irving Harris Hall at Aspen. He has recorded for NPR’s “From the Top” as a featured Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist, Pittsburgh’s WQED radio, and Steinway’s Spirio player-piano catalog. He holds several prizes in international and national competitions. As juror, he was on the panel of the 2018 Franz Liszt International Youth Piano Competition (China Division) held in Changsha.

He is a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and has researched the musical contributions of his paternal grandfather Gong-Yi Zhu, a master piano pedagogue whose influence in China is still widely felt today. He has been a guest lecturer at the United States Embassy in Beijing, The Juilliard School, and Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

In the Fall of 2019, he will join the inaugural faculty roster at the Tianjin Juilliard School, Juilliard’s first branch campus.

PROGRAM

Johannes Brahms

Acht Klavierstucke Op. 76

I. Capriccio in F sharp minor

II. Capriccio in B minor

III. Intermezzo in A flat Major

IV. Intermezzo in B flat Major

V. Capriccio in C sharp minor

VI. Intermezzo in A Major

VII. Intermezzo in A minor

VIII. Intermezzo in C Major

Alexander Scriabin

Fantasy in B Major Op. 28

Modest Mussorgsky

Pictures at an Exhibition

“A first-rate pianist who isn’t afraid of challenges,” (Fanfare) Chinese-American pianist Clara Yang is currently Associate Professor of Piano and Head of Piano Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill. She has performed in major venues across the United States and in Europe and China. As a concerto soloist, she performed with renowned conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Grant Llewellyn, Jeff Tyzik, Carl St. Clair, and Long Yu. Her solo album Folding Time (Albany Records) won Global Music Awards Gold Medal, and it was selected as one of Best of 2016 by American Record Guide. In the last season, she performed a world premiere of Chen Yi’s piano concerto with the China Philharmonic Orchestra in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and a US premiere of the work in the Carolina Performing Arts series. She also performed Philip Glass etudes alongside Mr. Glass and other renowned artists in the Glass at 80 festival.

Dr. Yang has given solo recitals, masterclasses, and lectures in major conservatories and universities, including the Musical College of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Russia, King’s College London, the Liceu Conservatory in Spain, the Central Conservatory and the China Conservatory in Beijing, the Shanghai Conservatory, and the Shenzhen University in China. Dr. Yang studied with Nelita True at Eastman (DMA), Claude Frank at Yale School of Music (MM, Artist Diploma), and John Perry at USC Thornton School of Music (BM). A sought-after teacher, her students have won top prizes in state, national, and international competitions.

PROGRAM

Muzio Clementi

Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 24, No. 2                        

Zhou Long

Pianobells (2013)

Claude Debussy

Preludes, Book II

Feux d’artifices

Chen Yi

Northern Scenes (2015)

Phil Young

Reflection on a Tang Poem (2015)

Sergei Prokofiev     

Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83

1. Allegro inquieto
2. Andante caloroso
3. Precipitato

Yi Chen Feng began piano studies at age 7 in Taiwan. He is currently a senior student at the Peabody Conservatory where he studies with Boris Slutsky. In 2014, Feng won first place in Taiwan Steinway Youth Piano Competition and represented Taiwan to the finals held in Singapore. He also cooperated with Kaohsiung Youth Orchestra to perform Liszt’s Piano Concertos No. 1 at Kaohsiung Chiang Kai-shek Cultural Center.

In 2015, Feng won first prize and the John Payless Performance prize at the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition. In 2016 he won the honorable mention at the San Jose International Piano competition in the advanced category as the youngest contestant. In 2018, Feng won the second prize in the Harrison Winter Piano Competition as well as the second prize in the Chautauqua Solo Piano Competition.

In 2019, Feng is continuing his studies with Mr. Slutsky at Yale School of Music, where he will be pursing a master’s degree.

Alessandro Mazzamuto is “one of the most inspiring, extraordinary pianists that I have had the joy to hear”-writes Martha Argerich-and when she was recently asked by the French newspaper L’Expresso to name her ten favorite young pianist of our time she included Alessandro in the company of artists such as Danil Trifonov and Yuja Wang.

Winner of ICMA’ 2013 Young Instrumental Artist of the Year, the 31-year-old Sicilian pianist has won more than 60 national and international competitions.

Mazzamuto has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as Milan-SO, Tokyo-NCO,Berlin Rias Philarmonic, Ukrainian-SO, George Enescu Philharmonic, Chamber Orchestra of Kiev and has performed in numerous Asian, European, North American, and South American venues such as Carnegie Hall in NYC, Metropolitan in Tokyo, Salle Cortot of Paris, Centro Culturale Kirchner of Buenos Aires, and in cities like Venice, Moscow, Milan, Dallas, Rome, Bucarest, Madrid, etc.

Alessandro was a PD and AD student of Dr.Carol Leone at Southern Methodist University and recently become Artist in Residence at “ColloraPiano” in Dallas.

He and his brother, violinist Lorenzo Mazzamuto, perform often as a celebrated duo.

Winner of the 1987 Naumburg International Piano Competition at Carnegie Hall, Anton Nel continues to tour internationally as recitalist, concerto soloist, chamber musician and teacher. Highlights in the U.S. include performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, and the Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle, and Detroit Symphonies as well as recitals coast to coast. Overseas he has appeared at the Wigmore Hall in London, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, major venues in China and Korea and undertakes regular tours to South Africa. Much sought after as a chamber musician he regularly appears with some of the world’s finest instrumentalists at festivals on four continents. He holds the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Chair at the University of Texas at Austin, is currently also a Visiting Professor at the Manhattan School of Music and annually presents masterclasses at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto. During the summers he is on the artist-faculties at the Aspen Music Festival and School, the Orford Music Academy in Quebec and at the Steans Institute at the Ravinia Festival. Mr. Nel also frequently performs as harpsichordist and fortepianist. His recordings include four solo CDs, several chamber music recordings, and works for piano and orchestra by Franck, Faure, Saint-Saens and Edward Burlingame Hill. The Johannesburg-born Mr. Nel is a graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, where he studied with Adolph Hallis, and the University of Cincinnati where he worked with Bela Siki and Frank Weinstock. His website is antonnel.com.

PROGRAM

Johann Sebastian Bach

Partita No. 5 in G Major, BWV. 829

1. 1. Praembulum
   2. Allemande
   3. Sarabande
   4. Tempo di Minuetto
   5. Passepied
   6. Gigue

Claude Debussy

Estampes (2013)

1. 1. Pagodes
   2. La soirée dans Grenade
   3. Jardins sous la pluie

Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 20

1. 1. Allegro moderato
   2. Adagio maestoso
   3. Finale: Presto

Born in Indonesia, Martin Kesuma made his orchestral debut at the age of 17 with the Texas State Symphony Orchestra. Since then, Martin has performed with the Round Rock Symphony, University of Texas University Orchestra, and more. As recipient of the Ben Gomez Award from the 10th TSIPF, Martin is scheduled to perform with the Central Texas Philharmonic soon. In addition, Martin enjoys performing in competitions. Some of his accomplishments include Honorable Mention in the San Jose International Piano Competition and first prizes in the PianoHouse International Piano Competition and the Dickinson Piano Competition at the TSIPF, which allowed Martin to record and publish his debut album, “Detours,” for the Centaur Records.

A graduate of Texas State University (classes of Washington García and Jason Kwak), Martin continued to study at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is currently finishing up his doctoral studies with Anton Nel. Starting in September, Martin will move to Toronto, where he has been accepted with full scholarship to study with James Anagnoson in the Artist Diploma Program at the Glenn Gould School, Royal Conservatory of Music.

PROGRAM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Sonata No. 5 in G Major, K. 283

1. 1. Allegro
   2. Andante
   3. Presto

Wayne Oquin

Détours (2013)

Frédéric Chopin

Sonata No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 35

1. 1. Grave – Doppio movimento
   2. Scherzo
   3. Marche funèbre: Lento
   4. Finale: Presto

Andrey Ponochevny is a concert pianist and competition winner. Cleveland’s The Plain Dealer has written that “His performance seized attention from first note to last”. He has won 1st prizes at Kapell competition in Maryland and Tomassoni competition in Cologne, Bronze medal at XII Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, among others awards in Warsaw, Dublin, Prague, New Orleans, Hong Kong, Riga. Mr.Ponochevny has performed solo recitals at major venues such as Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York); Kennedy Center and Phillips Collection in Washington, DC; Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria in Santander and Beethovenhalle in Bonn, Grand Opera in Harbin and City Hall in Hong Kong. Festival appearances includes Ruhr Klavier, IKIF, Ludwigsburg, PianoTexas, Nuevos Virtuosos, Music in the Mountains, Bravissimo, Changchung, Beijing. Mr. Ponochevny has appeared as a soloist with the Baltimore Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic, Wuhan Philharmonic and Belarussian Symphony, Des Moines Symphony and Tianjin Symphony among others. He was named “Outstanding Artist in China” in 2009 and 2011 as well as “Minsk Citizen of the year” in 2002. Andrey Ponochevny is a Yamaha Artist. In addition to his concert career, Ponochevny serves on the teaching faculty of University of Dallas.

PROGRAM

Domenico Scarlatti

Six Sonatas

1. D Minor K. 213
2. E Minor K. 198
3. C Major K. 487
4. B Minor K. 87
5. E Major K. 531
6. A Major K. 24

Sergei Rachmaninov

Sonata No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 28

1. Allegro moderato
2. Lento
3. Allegro molto

Pianist Ryan Soeyadi is first prize winner of the 2018 Kosciuzko Foundation Chopin Competition in Washington D.C. and a sought-after pianist based in New York City. Soeyadi has appeared on stage in Alice Tully Hall, The Arkell Pavilion, Avram Theater, and Steinway Hall, among other prestigious venues. Soeyadi was the grand prize winner of the 2020 and 2018 Music for Humanity Scholarships. Further important awards are from competitions such as the NY Steinway and Sons and the Mieczyslaw Munz at Juilliard.
Mr. Soeyadi received piano fellowships to the Manchester Music Festival, Pianofest in the Hamptons, and the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival. He has played for notable musicians such as Stephen Hough, Emanuel Ax, and Matti Raekallio.

Ryan is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music degree at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Julian Martin. Ryan’s notable scholarships include the Robert Fabian and Ezio Cingolani scholarships. Prior to his studies at The Juilliard School, Ryan attended the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division under the tutelage of Dr. Adam Kent for seven years.

PROGRAM

Sergei Rachmaninov

Étude-Tableau in C Minor, Op. 33, No. 3

Étude-Tableau in C Major, Op. 33, No. 2

Nikolai Medtner

Sonata-Skazka in C Minor, Op. 25 No. 1

Rachmaninov

Prelude in E Major, Op. 32, No. 3

Medtner

Skazka in A Major, Op. 51, No. 3

Sonata in A minor, Op. 30

Sergei Rachmaninov

Prelude in D minor, Op. 23, No. 3

Medtner

Skazka in E minor, Op. 14, No. 2, “March of the Paladin”

Skazka in G Major, Op. 51, No. 6

Praised for “demon precision and complete dedication” (Audio Society), the Lomazov/Rackers Piano Duo garnered wide attention as the Second Prize Winners of the Sixth Biennial Ellis Duo Piano Competition, the only national competition for piano duo in the United States at that time. Since then, they have performed as recitalists and in concert with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe, including performances at the Kiev International Music Festival, Gina Bachauer International Piano Festival, Indiana University Piano Festival, Seoul International Piano Festival, American Liszt Society Festival, Perugia International Music Festival, Varna International Piano Festival, Moulin d’Andé Arts Festival, Burgos International Music Festival and Infiorata di Genzano, in addition to appearances in every region of the United States. Fanfare praises the duo for “a superb demonstration of piano playing” and American Record Guides writes “the ensemble between Lomazov and Rackers is dead on”.

Lomazov and Rackers are Steinway Artists. As advocates for modern music for piano duo, they have premiered numerous works across the United States, including several compositions written specifically for them. Their broad repertoire ranges from important works by Bach, Brahms, Mozart and Schubert, to wide-ranging performances of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and Petrushka, leading one critic to write that the duo “really lit up the audience….demonstrating that nearly 100 years after it was written, this modernist touchstone can still sound modern” (Columbia Free Times).

Marina Lomazov and Joseph RackersPraised as a “diva of the piano” (Salt Lake City Tribune), Marina Lomazov has performed throughout the United States, Europe, South America and China. She has won prizes in the Gina Bachauer, Cleveland, William Kapell and Hilton Head International piano competitions, and was the first pianist to be awarded the Artist Diploma at the Eastman School of Music in nearly two decades. Lauded for “unflappable virtuosity” (American Record Guide), Joseph Rackers has appeared throughout the United States, Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Ukraine at venues including the Shanghai and Sichuan Conservatories of Music, Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, Banff Center for the Arts and Yantai International Music Festival, among others. He is the recipient of the Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music.
Ms. Lomazov and Mr. Rackers each hold the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the Eastman School of Music. Both serve on the artist piano faculty of the University of South Carolina School of Music (Columbia, SC), where they co-direct the Southeastern Piano Festival.

PROGRAM

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Sonata in C Major, four hands, K. 521

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegretto

Franz Schubert

Fantasie in F Minor, four hands, D. 940

Johannes Brahms

Variations on a Theme by Haydn, two pianos, Op. 56

1. Theme. Andante
2. Variation I. Poco più animato
3. Variation II. Più vivace
4. Variation III. Con moto
5. Variation IV. Andante con moto
6. Variation V. Vivace
7. Variation VI. Vivace
8. Variation VII. Grazioso
9. Variation VIII. Presto non troppo
10. Finale. Andante

Igor Stravinsky

Three movements from Petrushka, four hands

1. Russian Dance
2. At Petrushka’s
3. The Shrovetide Fair

Zehao Bai began his journey with piano at home when he was three-year-old and made his first public concert at the age of fourteen. During the course of his study, Zehao won prizes from the Thousand Island International Piano Competition, Long Island International Piano Competition. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree under the tutelage of Dr. Marina Lomazov and Dr. Joseph Rackers at the Eastman School of Music.

Ke’er Wang started her musical study at the age of five and continued through the affiliated schools of Sichuan Conservatory in China. She had her public debut at the age of sixteen. Ke’er was the featured soloist for South Carolina University Symphony Orchestra, Williamsburg Symphonic Orchestra and Virtuosi Brunenses Orchestra. She is now working on her doctoral degree at the Eastman School of Music under Dr. Marina Lomazov and Dr. Joseph Rackers. Apart from performing as soloists, Ke’er and Zehao often perform as a pianist-couple and work as a pianist team.

In the summer of 2016, Ke’er and Zehao together created the Miao’miao Piano Festival in Wuhai, China for pre-college pianists and received wide local support and praise.

PROGRAM

Franz Liszt

Sonata in B Minor

Zehao Bai

Robert Schumann

Carnaval, Op. 9

1. Préambule
2. Pierrot
3. Arlequin
4. Valse noble
5. Eusebius
6. Florestan
7. Coquette
8. Replique
9. Papillons
10. A.S.C.H. S.C.H.A.
11. Chiarina
12. Chopin
13. Estrella
14. Reconnaissance
15. Pantalon et Colombine
16. Valse allemande – Paganini
17. Aveu
18. Promenade
19. Pause
20. Marche des “Davidsbündler” contre les Philistins

Ke’er Wang

Igor Stravinsky

Three movements from Petrushka, four hands

1. Russian Dance

Zehao Bai and Ke’er Wang

Recital

Tianyuan Liu