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

Zhang Haochen (born June 3, 1990) is a talented Chinese pianist. He won a gold medal at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009. This made him one of the youngest winners ever in that famous music contest. In 2017, he also received an Avery Fisher Career Grant, a special award for promising musicians.

Early Life and Musical Start

Zhang started learning piano when he was just three and a half years old. At five, he gave his first public concert in Shanghai. He played pieces by famous composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Bach.

When he was six, Zhang played with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. He performed Mozart's Piano Concerto K. 467. He won first prize at the Shanghai Piano Competition twice, at ages seven and nine.

By age eleven, Zhang was touring major cities in China. He performed sonatas by Beethoven and Mozart. He also played all of Chopin's difficult Etudes Op. 10. At twelve, he became the youngest winner of the 4th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. In 2004, he played at the International Chopin Festival in Poland.

Studying in the United States

In 2005, Zhang moved to the United States. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music on a full scholarship. There, he studied with the famous teacher Gary Graffman. Graffman also taught other well-known pianists like Lang Lang and Yuja Wang.

The next year, Zhang performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He played Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. In 2007, at just 17, he won the China International Piano Competition. In 2008, he made his debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Career Highlights

In June 2009, Zhang won the Gold Medal at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He was the first Chinese competitor to win this award. As part of his prize, he received support for his music career for three years.

After winning, Zhang went on a big tour. He played about 200 concerts in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. He performed at important events like the Beijing Music Festival.

On February 10, 2017, Zhang released his first studio album. It featured music by Schumann, Liszt, Brahms, and Janácek. He is now managed by Kanzen Arts and KAJIMOTO.

Notable Performances

Zhang has performed with many famous orchestras around the world. These include the London Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and NHK Symphony Orchestra. He has played concerts across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

In April 2013, Zhang played in Munich with the Munich Philharmonic. In 2014, he performed at the BBC Proms with the China Philharmonic. In October 2017, he filled in for Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall.

In January 2020, Zhang made his debut with the New York Philharmonic. He returned to play with them again in March 2022.

Discography

Awards

Personal Life

Zhang lives in Philadelphia. He enjoys learning about many other subjects, including history and literature.

See also

In Spanish: Haochen Zhang para niños