By Zhang Qian (Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-29 10:17

The Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra presents a program of "Romantisch" music on Friday, featuring two young musicians - violinist Zhang Le and guest conductor Zhang Liang.

The program at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center will feature three great works of Romantic Music - Overture "Ein Morgen, ein Mittag, ein Abend in Wien" by Franz von Suppe, "Symphony No. 1 in D Major" by Mahler and "Violin Concerto in D Major" by Beethoven.

Young violinist Zhang Le interprets Beethoven's violin concerto, which the composer infused with "the scent of the brightest days" in his life. It is his only violin concerto.

Zhang from Shanghai is currently concertmaster. Born into a musician's family, he began learning violin at the age of four with his father, a violinist of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He won first prize in China's National Violin Competition when he was 13.

He went on to win the Violin Concerto Competition at the Aspen Music Festival, and immediately received a full scholarship from the Juilliard School of Music to study with Dorothy Delay.

"All the world will hear your playing, you will be a great violinist," Delay is reported to have told Zhang.

Zhang became the first violinist from China to join the New York Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 1993. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chicago Orchestra. He has been concertmaster of the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra since 2005.

Guest conductor Zhang Liang has been a conductor of the Shanghai Opera House since 2003. He is known for his dazzling technique and idiomatic interpretations, especially for his penetrating reading of Mahler and Strauss.

Zhang, from Jiangsu Province, started piano lessons at the age of five and won honors in both piano and conducting, which reflects the spirit of European music.

Date: November 30, 7:30pm
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong
Tickets: 50-220 yuan
Tel: 021-62120602/68541234