Zhang Cheng - R. Schumann: Piano Works (Live) (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Zhang Cheng was born in China. He began his studies at the Shenzhen Conservatory and from 2007 to 2011 continued at the Texas Christian University School of Music with Tamas Ungar before studying at the University of the Arts in Berlin with Klaus Hellwig. He was advised by Menahem Pressler, Leon Fleisher, Paul Badura-Skoda, Dmitri Bashkirov and Elisso Virsaladze. Zhang Cheng was awarded the Clara Haskil Prize (and the Audience Prize) in 2011 and the Schumann Prize in 2016, prompting him to study the complete canon of his favorite composer. About his preference for Robert Schumann and his music, Zhang Cheng says: “There was no specific moment where I decided that I should study Schumann’s complete oeuvre. The reason that keeps me exploring his music is his humanity. In my opinion, Schumann is an extraordinarily free and generous personality. Most importantly, he allows himself not to be perfect and first and foremost to be who he is. Schumann was also an endless resource of inspiration for me in my search for my own identity.” In Europe, Zhang Cheng has performed at the Klavierfestival Ruhr, the Chopin Festival in Nohant, the Verbier Festival, the September Music Festival in Montreux-Vevey, the International Music Festival in Berlin and at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. This recording was realized by Accentus Music in partnership with the Académie France-Chine. The academy was launched in 2018 by the outstanding pianist Zhu Xiao-Mei with the support of Cartier. The purpose of the academy is to promote music education and training, to encourage the emergence of highly talented young artists and to foster cultural exchange between Europe and China.

Tracklist:
1. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Thema (Live) (00:48)
2. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Var. 1 (Live) (00:53)
3. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Var. 2 (Live) (00:55)
4. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Var. 3 (Live) (00:55)
5. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Var. 4 (Live) (01:17)
6. Abegg Variations, Op. 1: Var. 5 – Finale alla fantasia (Live) (02:37)
7. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: I. Einfach – II. Sehr rasch und leicht (Live) (05:18)
8. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: III. Hastig (Live) (04:29)
9. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: IV. Einfach und zart – V. Intermezzo (Live) (04:26)
10. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: VI. Innig (Live) (02:35)
11. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: VII. Sehr lebhaft – VIII. Mit einigem Pomp (Live) (03:29)
12. Humoreske in B-Flat Major, Op. 20: IX. Zum Beschluss (Live) (05:48)
13. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11: I. Introduzione (Live) (12:46)
14. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11: II. Aria (Live) (02:55)
15. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11: III. Scherzo e intermezzo (Live) (05:05)
16. Piano Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 11: IV. Finale (Live) (11:27)

Personnel:
Zheng Chang (piano)