Since October 2010, when I published my article Pianist Xiayin Wang – celebrating her new life focusing on the formidable pianist’s New York beginnings, Ms. Wang has become a household name on New York’s stages.
During the 2012/13 season, Ms. Wang recorded her American Piano Concerto disc for the Chandos label. The compilation, praised by Fanfare, features the Barber, Copland, and Gershwin concertos; the CD shows congruency with Ms. Wang’s previous repertoire choices inspired by the late Earl Wilde, whose own compositions in addition to works by Gershwin, whom the young pianist admires greatly, had previously appeared in Ms. Wang’s concert repertoire and recordings to much acclaim.
Beginning in 2014, Ms. Wang Wang performed Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the National Gallery of Art Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and received high praise from The Washington Post: “Ms. Wang’s finger work was precise and strong… Her drive was unrelenting and her concentration intense. It was clear that she was in command and that Lande and the orchestra were to follow, which they did well…she was great to watch.”
This March, Ms. Wang, presented the world premiere of Richard Danielpour’s The Celestial Circus at Alice Tully Hall. Ms. Wang was joined on stage by pianist Ray Wong and percussionists Lisa Pegher, Andrew Beall, and Joe Kelly for Danielpour’s suite in five movements for two pianos and percussion, inspired by ancient mythological creatures from various cultures. She and pianist Ray Wong pulled off a ravishing two-piano version of Ravel’s LaValse, displaying their stellar technique, which never disappoints. This is not the first time Ms. Wang has come into touch with Danielpour’s work. In fact, her 2011 recording of his Enchanted Garden (Preludes book I and II) for Naxos is a sensitive rendition of the composer’s dreamy soundscape.
Ms. Wang’s communicative and subtle work is particularly impressive in her chamber music performances, in which she has been partaking more frequently since connecting with the Fine Arts Quartet and the Escher Quartet. Wang had started a five-concert series at Merkin Hall last November, performing excerpts of Brooklyn-based composer Sean Hickey’s acclaimed Clarinet Concerto with clarinetist Alex Fiterstein and the Washington Soloists Chamber Orchestra; that performance was recorded on the Naxos label. Ms. Wang will return to Merkin Hall with the Fine Arts Quartet to premiere a work by Hickey under the Baton of Vladimir Lande.
Ms. Wang’s career has been consistently driven by the affection of her longstanding fans and supportive colleagues, which has resulted in continuously successful collaborations with many artists; Wang has built long-lasting relationships, which is the best way to build a career in New York, or anywhere else.
Comments