Yi Zhong, Piano

Jean Sibelius (1865–1957): 5 Esquisses, Op. 114 (Five Sketches / Viisi Luonnosta)

This collection is comprised of Jean Sibelius' last solo piano work, written in 1929.
Pianist Yi Zhong presents this cycle of a sequence of pieces with a very original character in an interpretation that emphasizes the late style of composer Jean Sibelius in a remarkable way. In the “5 Esquisses”, the piano texture is melodious and colourful, it contains tonal and harmonic innovations, finally achieving a kind of pianistic sound that corresponds to his orchestral works.
A shift towards atonality draws the listener in, evoking images aligned with the following movements: 1. Landscape (Maisema), 2. Winter Scene (Talvikuva), 3. Forest Lake (Metsälampi), 4. Song in the Forest (Metsälaulu), 5. Spring Vision (Kevätnäky)

The recording was realized on a specially selected Steinway D-274 Concert Grand, which reflects the sound diversity and sonority of the interpretation in a very exquisite way – produced in HighRes audio quality (24 bit / 96 kHz), in an acoustically excellent chamber music studio, and with a fine selection of digital and analogue equipment, including rare tube microphones, too.


Hailed by the 'New York Concert Review' as "a pianist of impressive stamina, fierce concentration, and unquestionable technical command," Yi Zhong is "one who certainly has the pianism to tackle just about anything."
He has appeared at many important concert series and venues in the United States, Europe and China, including New York City's Lincoln Center, Isaac Stern Auditorium and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center and Steinway Halls in China and North America. Having under his fingers a vast repertoire from Baroque to Contemporary, Zhong has always taken special interest in the less known piano works. His previous album has been nominated as a winner of Global Music Award in the United States and Annual Hi-Fi Album Awards in China.
Currently, he holds the position as the Assistant Dean and Associate Professor at Changzhou University College of Music. The pianist is also the Director of Changzhou University International Academy of Piano Arts and a Visiting Professor of Changchun Normal University, China.
Yi Zhong is a Young Steinway Artist.

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