Shaoai Ashley Zhang – Notes of Crimson

Piano Spheres Emerging Artist Shaoai Ashley Zhang presents “Notes of Crimson,” an evening of contemporary compositions evoking the rich colors of solo piano. From Isang Yun’s brooding Interludium A to Luciano Berio’s monumental Sequenza IV, this concert offers a tour de force of the instrument. Featured will be the world premiere of a Piano Spheres commission by Fernanda Aoki Navarro, as well as the namesake of the program, crimson by Rebecca Saunders.

A pianist with “impressive technical skill and innate musicality” (Unsuk Chin), Shaoai Ashley Zhang is an active solo and chamber musician. A champion of contemporary music, Ms. Zhang has premiered dozens of new works and collaborated closely with composers including Helmut Lachenmann, Sofia Gubaidulina, and Unsuk Chin. Ms. Zhang presents recitals featuring both new and old piano repertoire, which puts contemporary music in dialogue with the past. Recent engagements include appearances as a soloist in Unsuk Chin’s Double Concerto with the Palimpsest Ensemble, as well as Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22, K. 482 with the UC San Diego Chamber Orchestra.

In addition to solo activities, Ms. Zhang has appeared at numerous contemporary music festivals, including Lucerne Festival Academy, Tanglewood Music Festival, Darmstädter Ferienkurse and the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. A sought-after collaborator, Ms. Zhang regularly appears as part of Duo am Meer with saxophonist Andrew R. Steinberg, presenting concerts in Hong Kong, China, Russia, and Germany, as well as across the US. Ms. Zhang is also a member of Duo Refracta with percussionist Michael Jones, and their upcoming album release will feature music by Kevin Good, Aaron Wyanski, and David Macbride.