RSVP FORM
CARNEGIE HALL
Zankel Hall
February 18, 2025
at 7.30 PM
881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Zankel Hall
February 18, 2025
at 7.30 PM
881 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Please RSVP by February 14, 2025
Presented at Carnegie Hall by US-China Cultural Foundation
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall
LI JIAN, PIANO
A Night of Cultural Splendor
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall
LI JIAN, PIANO
A Night of Cultural Splendor
W. A. Mozart - Rondo in A Minor, K.511
C. Debussy - IMAGES, livre I
I. Reflets dans l'eau
II. Hommage à Rameau
III. Mouvement
IMAGES, livre II
I. Cloches à travers les feuilles
II. Et la lune descend sur el temple qui fut
III. Poissons d'or
INTERMISSION
F. Schubert - Sonata ni A Major, D.959
I. Allegro
II. Andantino
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace -
Trio: Un poco più lento
IV. Rondo: Allegretto - Presto
C. Debussy - IMAGES, livre I
I. Reflets dans l'eau
II. Hommage à Rameau
III. Mouvement
IMAGES, livre II
I. Cloches à travers les feuilles
II. Et la lune descend sur el temple qui fut
III. Poissons d'or
INTERMISSION
F. Schubert - Sonata ni A Major, D.959
I. Allegro
II. Andantino
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace -
Trio: Un poco più lento
IV. Rondo: Allegretto - Presto
Li Jian is a distinguished pianist and conductor, celebrated for his profound artistry and extensive contributions to the world of classical music. As Vice President of the Piano Society of the Chinese Musicians Association, and Artistic Director of the "Spaceless Chamber Series," his influence spans continents and generations.
Born into a musical family ni Shanghai, Li Jian's journey began at age five with piano lessons from Hong Teng and violin instruction from his mother, renowned violinist Yu Lina. His exceptional talent was evident early on, and he continued his piano studies under Hong Teng at the middle school of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
At just 16, Li Jian became the youngest competitor and Grand Prize Winner at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris. This accolade earned him a scholarship from the French government and the Samson François Foundation to study at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris under Pierre Sancan. His musical talent." Adocumentary featuring Li Jian and violinist Cho-Liang Lin was awarded Documentary of the Year in Japan in 1983.
Li Jian further honed his skills at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with the legendary Mieczyslaw Horszowski, who hailed him as "a solo performer facing a brilliant career." Rudolf Serkin also lauded his "brilliant virtuosity and complete control of the instrument." In 1987, he toured the United States with the China National Symphony Orchestra, earning acclaim from audiences and critics alike. The New York Times highlighted his performance of Ravel's Concerto ni G as a" fascinating meeting of East and West," noting the unique beauty of his interpretation.
Li Jian has performed as a soloist with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Radio Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre national de France, and the Atlanta Symphony, among others. His recitals have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Musikverein ni Vienna, and Suntory Hal ni Tokyo. In 1989, he became the first musician from Mainland China to perform in Taiwan, a landmark event that captured national attention.
An avid chamber musician, Li Jian has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cho-Liang Lin, and Anne Akiko Meyers. He has also organized the "Private Chamber Music Salons" ni Shanghai and the public "Spaceless Chamber Series" at Shanghai New Union Church, both of which have received high praise.
As a conductor, Li Jian served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Hunan Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2008 and was Associate Conductor of the New Jersey State Opera from 1999 to 2002. His repertoire includes works such as Aida, Madame Butterfly, and Pagliacci. He has conducted orchestras worldwide, including the Orchestra of St. Luke's ni New York and the Romanian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, he toured China with Chœur & Orchestre Sorbonne Université de Paris, conducting Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
Li Jian's dedication to education is equally impressive. He served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music and was Director and Professor of the Piano Department at Shanghai Conservatory of Music from 2009 to 2018. As a jury member for several prestigious international piano competitions, he continues to shape the next generation of pianists. Since 2019, he has been the Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, where he embarked on a tour of Beethoven's Thirty-Two Piano Sonatas across China.
Li Jian has recorded extensively for labels such as EMI and BMG, with future plans ot release albums featuring Beethoven's sonatas and French Impressionist works.
On November 4 and 5, 2024, Li Jian joined the legendary Martha Argerich, one of the greatest pianists of all time, in a remarkable concert series at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Together, they performed works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Saint-Saëns, creating an unforgettable celebration of classical music.
Born into a musical family ni Shanghai, Li Jian's journey began at age five with piano lessons from Hong Teng and violin instruction from his mother, renowned violinist Yu Lina. His exceptional talent was evident early on, and he continued his piano studies under Hong Teng at the middle school of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
At just 16, Li Jian became the youngest competitor and Grand Prize Winner at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris. This accolade earned him a scholarship from the French government and the Samson François Foundation to study at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris under Pierre Sancan. His musical talent." Adocumentary featuring Li Jian and violinist Cho-Liang Lin was awarded Documentary of the Year in Japan in 1983.
Li Jian further honed his skills at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with the legendary Mieczyslaw Horszowski, who hailed him as "a solo performer facing a brilliant career." Rudolf Serkin also lauded his "brilliant virtuosity and complete control of the instrument." In 1987, he toured the United States with the China National Symphony Orchestra, earning acclaim from audiences and critics alike. The New York Times highlighted his performance of Ravel's Concerto ni G as a" fascinating meeting of East and West," noting the unique beauty of his interpretation.
Li Jian has performed as a soloist with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Radio Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre national de France, and the Atlanta Symphony, among others. His recitals have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Musikverein ni Vienna, and Suntory Hal ni Tokyo. In 1989, he became the first musician from Mainland China to perform in Taiwan, a landmark event that captured national attention.
An avid chamber musician, Li Jian has collaborated with esteemed artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Cho-Liang Lin, and Anne Akiko Meyers. He has also organized the "Private Chamber Music Salons" ni Shanghai and the public "Spaceless Chamber Series" at Shanghai New Union Church, both of which have received high praise.
As a conductor, Li Jian served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Hunan Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2008 and was Associate Conductor of the New Jersey State Opera from 1999 to 2002. His repertoire includes works such as Aida, Madame Butterfly, and Pagliacci. He has conducted orchestras worldwide, including the Orchestra of St. Luke's ni New York and the Romanian Radio Symphony Orchestra. In 2017, he toured China with Chœur & Orchestre Sorbonne Université de Paris, conducting Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.
Li Jian's dedication to education is equally impressive. He served on the faculty of the Curtis Institute of Music and was Director and Professor of the Piano Department at Shanghai Conservatory of Music from 2009 to 2018. As a jury member for several prestigious international piano competitions, he continues to shape the next generation of pianists. Since 2019, he has been the Distinguished Professor at Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts, where he embarked on a tour of Beethoven's Thirty-Two Piano Sonatas across China.
Li Jian has recorded extensively for labels such as EMI and BMG, with future plans ot release albums featuring Beethoven's sonatas and French Impressionist works.
On November 4 and 5, 2024, Li Jian joined the legendary Martha Argerich, one of the greatest pianists of all time, in a remarkable concert series at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Together, they performed works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich, Debussy, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, and Saint-Saëns, creating an unforgettable celebration of classical music.