Cliburn 2009: May 22 - June 7
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closeFriday, May. 15, 2009
Cliburn confidential: Haochen Zhang
A series of conversations with the Cliburn competitors
Haochen Zhang
(pronounced how-chun jaang)
Nationality: Chinese
Born: Shanghai
Lives: Shanghai
Age: 18 (he turns 19 June 3)
Where he studies in the States: In Philadelphia, at the Curtis Institute of Music. "It gives me a free environment, along with so many opportunities to perform, to learn, and to communicate with talented students as well as masters from all over the world."
His favorite musicians: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Schumann, Schubert.
What’s on his iPod? Mostly classical music, some Chopin solo works, Beethoven symphonies, Brahms chamber and symphonic works, some Bruckner, Mahler, Stravinsky and Shostakovich symphonic works, some Mozart concertos.
Favorite contemporary pianists: Murray Perahia, Radu Lupu, Christian Zimmerman.
When he’s not practicing piano, he’s: Reading history — notably Chinese history, watching movies, reading books, talking to friends.
What he loves about Shanghai: "I love Shanghai because its unique culture and history is based on a blend of ancient southern Chinese style and Western imperialistic style. But more importantly, I love Shanghai because it’s my homeland."
Favorite books: A tough choice for him — much like picking out his favorite classical work — but he likes The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne; Jean Christophe by Romain Rolland; and all the Shakespeare tragedies.
Favorite movie: Schindler’s List
If he could meet a movie star, it would be: Anthony Hopkins or Tom Hanks.
When he arrives in Fort Worth, he would like to: ". . . practice, and I don’t want much disturbance. Maybe I will visit some museums after the competition."
— Heather Svokos
Bass Hall
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