Di Xiao Piano
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Di’s international career started at 17 when she played Chengzong Di Xiao Yin’s Yellow River Piano Concerto in Kuala Lumpur and Penang for the Malaysian Royal Family. Piano Subsequently Di has been invited to perform as a soloist in many Described as “a pianist of countries including Malaysia, Ukraine, Singapore, India, China awesome gifts” and compared to and the UK. In the UK, her concert Clara Schumann by the critics, performances have received much Chinese pianist Di Xiao concluded a acclaim. Her debut at Symphony major international recital tour in Hall Birmingham in 2006 was 2009 representing the UK as part of described by the UK Chinese Times the universally acclaimed 'Rising as “A stunning concert!” and an Stars' series. The tour included sell early performance of the Schumann out concerts at the Concertgebouw Concerto prompted The Birmingham Amsterdam, Vienna Konzerthaus, Post to say “In her graceful, dancing Salzburg Mozartium, Stockholm finale it was easy to imagine Clara Konserthaus and Luxembourg Schumann at the keyboard.” Di has Philharmonie. Following her Köln appeared in a number of important Philharmoie recital, played to an Career Highlights music festivals including Breman audience of over 1000, the press Musikfest (Germany), New • Performed “Yellow River stated that “Di Xiao presents a Generation Arts Festival (UK), Concerto” for Malaysian demanding programme that takes Buxton Arts Festival (UK) and Royal Family at Kuala your breath away.” As the tour Leamington Music Festival (UK). In Lumpur aged 17. progressed she went on to thrill October 2010 Di conducted a tour of audiences at Symphony Hall and China during which she played for • Birmingham Symphony Town Hall Birmingham, Brussels the enormous inaugural Classical Hall Debut, 2006. Bozar, Athens Megaron, Hamburg Music Festival of her home town Laeiszhalle and Barcelona L'Auditori. • First Prize, Brant GuangZhou (Canton). International Piano Di Xiao’s education included study In 2008 Di Xiao released her debut Competition, 2007. at the Odessa Conservatoire, under Album “Di Xiao Presents”. The the eminent Professors A. M. • Silver Medal, Worshipful album was well received and tracks Bougaevski and G. V. Popova and from it have been broadcast on a Company of Musicians, the Central Conservatory of Music number of major radio stations. Her 2007. Beijing. She graduated from the second album ‘Journey’ was latter with one of the highest marks • First BBC Radio recorded in January and is in the history of the Conservatory. Interview, 2007. scheduled for release in late spring In 2005 she was awarded a full 2011. In August 2011 Di will begin scholarship by Birmingham • Debut album ‘Di Xiao recording Ravel’s piano works for Conservatoire where she studied Presents’ released, 2008. the well regarded Somm Recordings under Mark Racz, now Deputy label. Additionally, many of Di’s live • First track broadcast on Principle at The Royal Academy of performances have been recorded Music London, and Professor BBC Radio 3, 2008. and transmitted on radio stations Malcolm Wilson. Respected by the across Europe. • UK representative to the musical elite Di Xiao has had the European Concert Halls honour of private master classes Di’s repertoire reflects a fabulous Organisation (ECHO) with John Lill, Peter Donohoe, spectrum of musical styles. She Simon Trpčeski and Alfred Brendel Rising Star Series, 2008- enjoys collaboration with other 2009. who commented on her ‘clear mind artists and works with Julian Lloyd and excellent fingers’. Webber and EMI guitarist Xuefei • First Classic FM interview Yang. Her range extends from the Di Xiao enjoyed success in broadcast, 2009. works of Mozart and Beethoven to competition from an early age Ravel, Prokofiev and Messiaen. She • Named among the top ten wining the Most Outstanding Young also has a keen interest in Chinese up and coming Chinese Musician of Guangdong Province classical folk music and pianists by International Award aged just 16. Since then she contemporary piano works. Di Xiao has won many national and Piano Magazine, 2009. forms a strong bond with audiences international prizes including; the everywhere and exudes a special Ludlow Philharmonic Concerto Prize quality and integrity in her music in 2005, the Birmingham Symphony making. She aspires to be an Hall Prize in 2006, a Worshipful CONTACT international ambassador for the Company of Musicians Silver Medal piano, combining both Chinese and ADRIAN HOLT in 2007 and, in the same year, first Western repertoire in the [email protected] prize in the Brant International Piano programming of her concerts, Competition. 0796 861 8704 thereby forming a bridge between two cultures. 0140 026 1837 www.DiXiao.co.uk 1 “She [Di Xiao] has fine technique, wide-ranging repertoire, an extremely pleasant platform manner and the personal qualities and capacity to really engage with an audience. Andrew Jowett, Director: Symphony Hall/Town Hall Birmingham UK "The Chinese pianist Di Xiao presents a demanding programme consisting of Beethoven, Chopin, Ravel and Messiaen that takes your breath away". Kölner Philharmonie “A deft touch to marvel at ” (Following a performance of Beethoven Concerto No 4 with The Sinfonia of Birmingham.) Christopher Morley; Birmingham Post “A stunning concert . Di Xiao’s playing “Very clear mind a nd combined power and delicacy, her excellent fingers!” exceptional talent received long applause Alfred Brendel from the audience at [the] Symphony Hall Birmingham.” UK Chinese Times “A piano recital which began with such a serene entrance from the soloist ended with whoops cheers and a standing ovation . What happened in between was entirely due to the quietly impressive musicianship of Di Xiao . ” The Birmingham Post “In the technically much more difficult »Mirrors« by Ravel and in the selection from Messiaen´s »Eight Preludes« we experienced an artist who is absolutely at one with what she is playing. Ravel´s »Sad Birds« became a fascinating, finely detailed study of the different tonal colours available on the piano and Messiaen´s harmonic »stained glass church windows« glittered flamboyantly under Di Xiao´s hands” Hamburger Abendblatt “Sparkling finger-work (Tchaikovsky; The Seasons), Brutal (Prokofiev; Sonata No6), a tranquil end to a mature performance (Chinese folk- song; Autumn Moon on a Calm Lake)”. Clive Peacock; Leamington Courier. “A pianist of awesome gifts her imperious opening flourish [Schumann Concerto] announced a capacity for full, rich chording. But there was also flowing, rippling figuration as she revealed her instinctive grasp of this wonderful work. In her graceful, dancing finale it was easy to imagine CONTACT Clara Schumann at the keyboard, Di Xiao’s profile ADRIAN HOLT and demeanour uncannily close to those of the [email protected] great lady herself.” 0796 861 8704 The Birmingham Post 0140 026 1837 www.DiXiao.co.uk 2 N.B. Magazine articles are presented to the right of the cover under which they first appeared. .