Richard Zhang, piano

Church Window Mask

Friday 29 August 1.10pm

Richard Zhang was born in Jiashan, China in 2005 and showed a great interest in music at a very early age. He began playing the piano when he was six, studying with William Zhou.

  • Online streaming

    This concert will be streamed live on our YouTube channel at 1:10pm.

  • Support our Creative Programme

    Whether £5 or any amount you’re able to give. Donations can be made in cash in the basket on your way out, or by tap donation at the machines at our exits. Your generosity helps support our cultural events and charitable services. Thank you.

  • Free admission | Donations welcome

    Programme

    Robert Schumann - Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op 26
    I. Allegro, (Sehr Lebhaft), B-flat major
    II. Romanze (Ziemlich Langsam), g minor
    III. Scherzino, B-flat major
    IV: Intermezzo, (Mit Größter Energie), e-flat minor
    V: Finale, (Höchst Lebhaft), B-flat major
    Claude Debussy - Images, série I
    I. Reflets dans l’eau
    II. Hommage à Rameau
    III. Mouvement
    Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne, Op 55, no.1

    St James’s is grateful for the generous support of Rolex for this music programme.

     

     

    Artist bio

    In October 2015 he met the harpsichord maker Ferguson Hoey at the China Music Exhibition, and tried a harpsichord for the first time. Immediately realising his exceptional talent, Mr. Hoey arranged for him to come to the UK and audition at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Here he continued his piano studies with Marcel Baudet. 

    Richard has given various solo performances in China and Europe, taking part in a number of concerts in the Menuhin Hall and other venues since joining the school. In December 2017 he was the soloist for a performance of Finzi’s Eclogue with the school’s Junior Orchestra, a mature performance much praised for its meditative qualities. In February 2018 he performed Liszt Transcendental Studies in Amsterdam to considerable acclaim. 

    His love of chamber music came to the fore in the Menuhin School’s Summer Festival 2018, when he performed Schumann’s Piano Quintet with other pupils. In March 2019 he progressed to the finals of the Aarhus International Piano Competition in Denmark and in June performed with other students at London’s Wigmore Hall. In the Summer Festival he joined string players at the school in a dazzling performance of the Dvorak Piano Quintet. Then in October he partnered Alina Ibragimova in the Violin Sonata by Debussy at Zamira Menuhin Benthall’s 80th Birthday Concert in the Menuhin Hall. In 2021 Richard was awarded Distinction in the Tunbridge Wells International Music Competition. 

    Richard has taken part in master classes with many distinguished teachers including Cristina Ortiz, Angela Hewitt, Klaus Hellwig and Jacques Rouvier. His musical interests and repertoire are wide-ranging, from early C17th keyboard masters up to contemporary composers. He also composes and has been a contributor to the “250 Piano Pieces for Beethoven” international composition project. 

    He has been awarded a scholarship to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and in addition to this generous bursary, he has been selected by the Keyboard Trust to receive the 2024 Dr. Weir Legacy Award to help support his further studies. 

    He will also be joining Talent Unlimited since his study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. 

    Presented in association with Talent Unlimited