Program
Xian Zhuo and John Wilson
Xian Zhuo, cello
John Wilson, piano
Sonata in A Minor D.821 ‘Arpeggione’
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Allegro moderato
Adagio
Allegretto
Introduction and Polonaise brillante, Op. 3
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Intermission
Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65
Frédéric Chopin
Allegro moderato
Scherzo
Largo
Finale. Allegro
Variations on One String on a Theme from “Moses” by Rossini
Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840)
Xian Zhuo, cello
Praised for his stunning technique, sensitivity and superb artistry, San Diego Symphony Orchestra cellist Xian Zhuo is a young professional musician whose artistry is recognized by awards and audiences. The winner of the 2011 Isidor Handler Award (1st Prize) at the 38th Dr. Luis Sigall International Cello Competition in Chile, Mr. Zhuo's recent engagements included concertos and master classes in Chile, Brazil, China and the USA. Xian has appeared in solo performances, recitals and chamber concerts in England, Germany, Norway, South Korea, China, Canada andthe United States. In 2013 he was selected as one of the top ten young Chinese cellists and was featured on a CCTV Concert in Beijing with the China Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Zhuo also had his debut with Guiyang Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Zuohuang Chen in China.
Mr. Zhuo first gained national recognition when he won 1st prize in the China National Competition. In addition to the Isidor Handler Award, he won 1st prizes in the Corpus Christi International Competition, Loeb/Louviere International Competition. He was chosen as one of the 25 participants for the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, Russia, in 2011. He joined the SDSO in 2014.
The catalog of Mr. Zhuo’s CDs represents works by award-winning Chinese-American composer Tian Zhou, recorded with the Guangzhou Symphony and released by China’s leading label, Pacific Audio and Video. His album String Poetic: Chinese Folk Music for Cello was released in celebration of the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Born in Xiamen, China, Mr. Zhuo began cello lessons with his father at age six and made his cello debut at the age of seven. Subsequently, he received professional education at the University of Southern California, Yale University, the Royal Northern College of Music and Shanghai Conservatory on full scholarships. His prominent artist teachers include Ralph Kirshbaum, Nathaniel Rosen, Aldo Parisot, Liwei Qin and Mei-Juan Liu. He also performed at master classes for Yo-Yo Ma, Mstislav Rostropovich, Anner Bylsma, Natalia Gutman, Trüls Mørk and Jian Wang.
John Wilson, piano
American pianist John Wilson has established himself as an artist who is both refined in style, and also a “marvelous musical mad scientist” (Music Critics Association of North America).
With a repertoire ranging from the baroque to the contemporary, John has performed extensively in North America, in recital halls such as Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, Weill Recital Hall & Merkin Hall in New York, and the New World Symphony Center in Miami. John played piano on the San Francisco Symphony’s 2021 Grammy-winning recording of Michael Tilson Thomas “Meditations on Rilke”, winning “Best Classical Compendium.”
As soloist he has performed with the San Francisco Symphony, New World Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio, the New Amsterdam Symphony and Orchestra Camerata Notturna in New York City. He most recently won 1st prize in the 2019 International Respighi Competition, which resulted in an invitation to perform as soloist with The Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall; other prizes include 1st place in the American Prize Foundation 2019 Competition, and "Best Performance of an American Work" at the 2017 Liszt-Garrison International Piano Competition.
A sought-after collaborator for the world’s most prolific composers, Wilson has had the pleasure of being a part of numerous world premieres, performing on the U.S and World premieres of solo piano works by Michael Tilson Thomas, duo works by Timo Andres and Judith Lang Zaimont, and ensemble-orchestral works by John Adams, Steve Reich, Reinbert de Leeuw, HK Gruber, and Bernd Deutsch.
A devoted chamber musician and collaborator, he has appeared in chamber ensembles with musicians of the San Francisco Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. Wilson has performed in duo recitals with violinist Joshua Bell, cellist Johannes Moser, violinist Anthony Marwood and soprano Audra McDonald. Wilson was trained at the Peabody Conservatory, where he received his B.M., M.M., and Performance Diploma and at the Aspen Music Festival. He is a regular pianist for both the San Francisco Symphony and San Diego Symphony Orchestras.
John has recorded for Naxos USA, MSR Classics, SFS Media Label, and performances can be heard on Medici.tv and WQXR.