If I needed any evidence that China is teeming with talented teenage musicians, then a concert we did two nights ago should put that need to rest.
Among the concerts we have had this hellish week (details of which I will put in my next post), we played one in the brand new Shenzhen Concert Hall where we were (once again) the second act of a longer show. We performed the Poulenc Concerto for Two pianos with two very young Chinese pianists, both of whom have performed with us before. One of them I have met. She is studying at Curtis Institute and recently shared first place in the First Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition. She is very talented though I know she will benefit from the maturity years of experience will give her. I think she has a good career ahead of her.
Their performance was impressive. The Poulenc is a tricky piece to put together as any piece for two pianos is. Yet they managed to put it together with us in just one rehearsal (we were all sightreading because the orchestra continues to refuse to provide us with music ahead of time). They always came in together and at the right tempo, and their phrases, though not very daring, had musicality. This is not a piece that lends itself to passion or too much emotional input, but they showed as much care and finesse in the delicate moments as they showed fire in the more exciting sections of the first and last movements.
After they played and did their bows, eight more teens filed onstage to accept the audiences applause. Sadly I did not hear their performances, but having heard the quality of both young pianists I am left wondering whether I should have.
Powered by ScribeFire.
