Haochen Zhang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Haochen Zhang
Zhang at a press conference in Shanghai in 2021
Background information
Native name	张昊辰
Born	(1990-06-03) June 3, 1990 (age 35) Shanghai, China
Genres	Classical
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1995–present

Haochen Zhang (born June 3, 1990) is a very talented Chinese pianist. He won a gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009. This was a huge achievement because he was one of the youngest winners ever! In 2017, he also received a special award called the Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Early Life as a Piano Prodigy

Haochen Zhang started playing the piano when he was just three and a half years old. By the age of five, he performed his first big concert in Shanghai. He played music by famous composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Bach.

When he was six, he played with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He performed one of Mozart's piano concertos. He won first prize at the Shanghai Piano Competition twice, once at age seven and again at nine.

At eleven, Haochen toured many big cities in China. He played music by Beethoven, Mozart, and all of Chopin's Etudes Op. 10. When he was twelve, he won the 4th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. He was the youngest person to ever win this competition! In 2004, he played at the International Chopin Festival in Poland.

In 2005, Haochen moved to the United States. He studied at the Curtis Institute of Music with a full scholarship. His teacher was the famous Gary Graffman, who also taught other well-known pianists like Lang Lang. The next year, he played with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In 2007, at just 17, Haochen won the China International Piano Competition. In 2008, he played at Carnegie Hall in New York City for the first time.

Amazing Career Highlights

In June 2009, Haochen Zhang made history. He became the first Chinese competitor to win the Gold Medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. This award came with a special prize: the Van Cliburn Foundation helped manage his career for three years.

After winning, Haochen went on a huge tour. He played over 200 concerts in America, Asia, and Europe. He performed at important music events like the Beijing Music Festival.

On February 10, 2017, Haochen released his first studio album. It featured music by composers like Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, and Janácek.

Notable Performances Around the World

Haochen Zhang has performed with many of the world's best orchestras. These include the London Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has played concerts all over Asia, Europe, and the United States.

In April 2013, he played in Munich with the Munich Philharmonic. In 2014, he made his debut at the BBC Proms in London.

In October 2017, Haochen stepped in to perform at Carnegie Hall when another famous pianist, Lang Lang, was injured. In January 2020, Haochen played with the New York Philharmonic for the first time. He returned to play with them again in March 2022.

Awards and Recognitions

Haochen Zhang has won many awards throughout his career:

Personal Life

Haochen Zhang lives in Philadelphia. Besides music, he is also very interested in history and literature.

See also

In Spanish: Haochen Zhang para niños