Musical Prodigy Remy Zhang To Perform At Edmond Town Hall

When David and Fei Fei Zhang moved from Shenzhen, China, to Danbury, Connecticut, in 2002, they brought with them their love of music, their hope for a brighter future, and their 12-year old son, Remy, who was already showing musical gifts and promises.  They left behind family, friends, and their piano.

The brought with them, however, a young man with talent and determination who was already showing musical gifts and promise. Mr Remy, who has a burgeoning career while still only a high school senior, will perform the next concert in the 2007-8 season of performances sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music. The young man will be featured in a solo performance at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown on Sunday, November 4, at 3 pm.

After showing musical talent at a very early age, Mr Zhang’s parents encouraged his love of music and he began formal piano lessons at five. He won awards in both district and national piano competitions and was the winner in three consecutive national piano examinations in the Shenzhen province.

After settling in Danbury with his parents (a cardiologist and a psychiatrist), Mr Zhang returned to his piano studies, this time with Edith Sullivan.

“When Remy started lessons with me, his mother came along to translate; he only spoke Chinese,” said Ms Sullivan.  “Today he expresses himself fully, both musically and in English.”

Without a piano, daily practicing was a challenge. Remy’s mother, who worked at Danbury Hospital, approached the hospital’s Director of Development, Susan Kania, asking if it would be possible for Remy to practice on the piano in the Praxair Cancer Center Lobby after hours, until the family had a chance to purchase an instrument of their own.

“I was able to listen and watch Remy practice,” said Ms Kania. “I was impressed with his talent and devotion to his performance, so I invited him to play at our Presidents’ Club reception that May.”  Thus, Remy’s musical studies in America began in a less than conventional fashion. 

Before long, the family purchased a grand piano, which now takes up most of the family’s living room.

“It was a big expense but we felt it was necessary,” Remy’s father admits. 

Since that time, Remy’s hard work and talent have earned him many forms of recognition. He has been a featured soloist with Danbury Symphony Orchestra and Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, and has performed twice at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He won first prize in the Junior Division of the Annual Concerto Competition sponsored by the Connecticut State Music Teachers’ Association and first prize in the Audrey Thayer Piano Competition at the University of Hartford Piano Competition in 2006. He also won the MTNA Senior Level Piano Competition in the Eastern Region.

Mr Zhang, a high honors student at Danbury High School, finds time to balance his daily three-hours-plus practice schedule with ping pong, skiing, soccer, and computer work and games.

Mr Zhang is a secure, poised, and communicative performer with a broad repertoire, fluid technique, beautiful tone, and musical intensity. He possesses technical precision and stamina, musical refinement and artistry at a level uncharacteristic of musicians his age. His convincing interpretations reveal dramatic effects, eloquent changes of character, and expressive nuances.

His Præludium Recital on November 4 will feature an impressive program including Beethoven’s Sonata No. 21 in C, Chopin’s Etude in E Major, Nocturne in F sharp Major and Ballade No.1 in G minor; three Preludes by Rachmaninoff;  Waldersrauschen and Gnomenreigen by Liszt; and Le Tombeau de Couperin by Ravel.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors. Students in grades K through 12 are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a ticket-holding adult.

The box office will open one hour before the start of the concert. Parking is free behind Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, and the facility is handicap accessible with all seating providing excellent viewing and acoustics. 

Advance reservations for this concert are strongly recommended due to the particular popularity of this young artist. Call 426-6470.