Zheyu Crystal Jiang, piano

 

February 9, 2022

Dame Myra Hess Concerts

Dave Schwan, host

Program PDF

Program:

Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) – Selection from 24 Preludes, Op. 28 (1839) (9’)

I. Agitato 

III. Vivace

XV. Sostenuto

XVI. Presto con fuoco

Chen Yi (b. 1953) – Variations on “Awariguli” (1979) (9’) 

Franz Schubert (1797-1828) – Fantasie in C major, Op. 15, D. 760, “Wanderer” (1822) (21′) 

I. Allegro con fuoco 

II. Adagio 

III. Presto

IV. Allegro

Combining brilliant command of the instrument with rare musicality, pianist Zheyu (Crystal) Jiang is one of the most promising young pianists of her generation. Originally from China, Jiang came to the U. S. in 2014 as a member of the outstanding students’ group from the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music from China. She graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied under the esteemed teacher Peter Takács, and is now pursuing her Artist Diploma at UMKC conservatory under world-renowned pianist Alon Goldstein.

Crystal held solo recitals in major concert halls including the prestigious Musikverein in Vienna, China National Center of Performing Arts, Kaufmann Center of Performing Arts in Kansas City, Wuhan Huangzhong Concert Hall, and Henan Opera House.

She won the first prize in numerous competitions, including the concerto competitions at both Oberlin and UMKC (where she performed Prokofiev 3rd Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto with critical acclaim), the Arthur Dann Piano Competition, Three Arts Club competition, and the National Keyboard Competition in Tianjin, China. She is also the winner of the top Oberlin Alumni Award, Agnes Fowler grant, GAF Award, Mu Phi Epsilon grants, and she was elected to membership in the National Music Honor Society.

Crystal went to the Tel-Hai International Piano Festival in Israel, where she had worked with piano masters from around the world. She was invited to participate in the Lieven International Piano Foundation at Musikverein in Vienna in February 2020 and was invited again to be part of the 2021 Lieven International Piano Summer School. Following her recent success, Crystal was invited to record her debut CD for the prestige label Naxos, and to give her debut recitals in New York, Chicago, and Berlin in the beginning of 2022.

Crystal is a passionate advocate of community outreach. She initiated two concert series in the KC Metropolitan area, organizing concerts since 2020 COVID started. These concerts are at no charge for the local communities. Crystal gave numerous online concerts for the Emerald Coast Music Festival, which has a goal to bring music to communities with less access and means. And, she plays a leading role in the KC Music for All Music Festival, as well as the International Lieven Piano Summer School. Crystal also initiated recording projects that produce music videos combining with Social Media platforms, under the name of J&G Artists League she formed a group of professional musicians, videographers, makeup artists, and screenwriters from multiple cities.

Read program notes here

Click Here
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are presented in partnership with 98.7 WFMT.
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are made possible through the generosity of the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council.
Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts are presented in association with the Seventeenth Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago.

Don’t miss Alexander Hersh and Victor Asuncion

next week on the

Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts!

Wednesday February 16, 12:15pm

Pin It on Pinterest

X