On the evening of April 26, the Beijing Concert Hall welcomed the second major concert of the "Wish to See Classics" fine chamber music series - Li Yang's cello solo concert. Cellist Li Yang and young pianist Hong Mei collaborate for the first time, using a romantic dialogue between cello and piano to show the extraordinary charm of classical music.
Li Yang studied piano with his father since he was a child. When he was studying abroad, he was guided and taught by the industry leader Rostropovich, and was highly praised and affirmed by the master. The master called his playing "the perfect combination of passion and strength", so Li Yang has to have a unique understanding of the macro concept of music and how to achieve the integrity of the music, as well as more detailed technical means and his personal spirit of artistic expression.
Regarding the selection of repertoire, Li Yang prefers to perform romantic classical music works. His performance has been inherited by the master Rostropovich, and his handling of music details is extremely delicate and has his own style. At this concert, Li Yang played for the audience Robert Schumann's "Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70", Schubert's "Sonata in A minor "Arpeggioni", Op. 821" and Brahm's "Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99".
At the beginning of the concert, Li Yang temporarily performed a piece that was not on the repertoire - Rachmaninoff's "Vocal Exercises". "This piece can fully mobilize my senses and get me into the state quickly." Li Yang said. In the first half, Li Yang fully demonstrated the passion and fantasy temperament of Robert Schumann's "Adagio and Allegro". His interpretation of Schubert's late classic "Sonata in A minor "Arpeggioni"" is extremely elegant and beautiful, with a melancholic charm that sometimes appears. The highlight of the second half - Brahms' "Sonata No. 2 in F major" is one of Brahms' masterpieces. It is an expression of the composer's calm and open emotions after experiencing many setbacks and depression in his later years. Li Yang also had an ulterior motive in his choice of this song: this piece depicts life's frustrations, heaviness, and grievances, to unyielding, forge ahead, and high-spiritedness, and finally to emotions and accumulation. It is an inspirational work written by Brahms for young people. Li Yang hopes to show the inspiring metaphor of this work to all audience members through his skillful performance, and bring the passion and hope of life to everyone.
It is worth mentioning that the encore of the concert gave the audience a surprise: Li Yang not only brought the familiar Offenbach's "Tears of Jacqueline" and Robert Schumann's "Fantasy", but also specially invited A "little performer" came on stage and played Bach's "Little Aria" with himself. The ensemble of two cellos was like a musical inheritance, and the fire of hope was endless.
photography/Luo Wei
text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Tian Wanting
editor/Qiao Ying
