Biography
Fangwei Zhao’s musical journey began at a very young age. She commenced her professional music training at the China Conservatory when she was 12. At the age of 13, she performed her first solo piano recital at the Taiyuan Concert Hall in Shanxi. Subsequently, Fangwei gained performance experience through solo recitals in renowned concert halls across China, including Beijing Steinway Hall, Shanghai Steinway Hall, Xinghai Conservatory Concert Hall, and Sky Concert Hall (the highest concert hall in the world). The enthusiastic feedback she received from both audiences and critics alike motivated her to continue her musical journey.
After graduating from the China Conservatory of Music, Fangwei moved to the UK to further pursue her music career. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music under the guidance of Professor Bingbing Li and her Master’s degree at the Royal College of Music, studying with Nigel Clayton.
During her studies in the UK, Fangwei actively performed at various musical venues in London, including St James's Piccadilly and St George’s Hanover Square. She also appeared as a soloist in many prestigious concert halls worldwide. In October 2023, Fangwei made her debut at the Berlin Philharmonie, performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto Op. 16 with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ronen Nissan. This performance was praised by Wiener Bezirkszeitung, one of the oldest newspapers in the world, as "Zhao Fangwei opens new doors in piano music.”
In July 2019, she made her debut with the Wiener Akademische Philharmonie at the Musikverein Wien, conducted by Michał Juraszek. This performance garnered extensive media coverage. The website Meinbezirk.at commented on the concert, stating, “Fangwei Zhao demonstrated a remarkable sense of direction and structure in her performance, which was soulful and refined.” That same year, she won First Prize in the Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians’ Competition and was invited to perform Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the orchestra in June 2022 at Newbold Church.
During the COVID pandemic in 2021, Fangwei recorded her first album, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor with the Asian Philharmonic, which was released in 2022. Earlier in 2023, she received the award for “Best Piano Concerto Album of the Year 2022” from the Guangdong Musicians Association for her debut album.
In addition to her classical repertoire, Fangwei has begun exploring contemporary music. In March 2022, she participated in the premiere of Simon Parkin’s jazz arrangement of J.S. Bach’s *Goldberg Variations*. In May 2022, she premiered the piano concertino *Under the Sun* by the talented young composer Junlin Li with the RNCM Brand New Orchestra. In 2023, she joined the Contemporary Music in Action concert at the Royal College of Music, debuting several solo and chamber works by RCM composers.
Reviews on Fangwei plays Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 in F minor
"Young Star Shines Bright in Musikverein"
The European Chinese Culture Artists Association invited attendees to the performance of Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 by Frédéric Chopin at the Vienna Musikvereinssaal. Pianist Fangwei Zhao, an emerging talent from iMusic Union, captivated the audience with her exceptional performance. During the first movement, she demonstrated remarkable force in her key strikes and pedal usage. Notably, she balanced the prominence between her left and right hands, although there were a few ornaments that the young artist did not quite execute perfectly.
In the Larghetto of the second movement, her left hand synchronized beautifully with the orchestra, creating a harmonious duet as they performed the Nocturne together. Even amidst the orchestra's accompaniment, her left-hand arpeggios remained distinctly audible. In the finale, an Allegro Vivace, the orchestra maintained a moderate volume, allowing ample space for the soloist's piano solos.
Overall, Fangwei Zhao showcased a keen understanding of the musical direction and structure. Her performance was characterized by its soulfulness and sophistication.
Reviews on Fangwei plays Grieg Piano Concerto in Berlin Philharmoniker
"Zhao Fangwei opens new doors in piano music"
Zhao Fangweis' interpretation of Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor was characterized by musical sensitivity and technical perfection. Her performance combined lyrical elegance with rhythmic precision, making full use of the rich harmony and Grieg's artful orchestration.
Zhao's deep musical understanding and ability to seamlessly integrate with the orchestra demonstrated her outstanding talent. Her sensitive playing, characterized by nuanced phrasing, captivated the audience and left a lasting impression.
The audience recognized her masterful performance with long applause. Zhao Fang-wei's performance highlighted the emotional depth and melodic beauty of Grieg's work and confirmed its exquisite musicality expressiveness.
"Best Piano Concerto Album of The Year "
During the COVID pandemic in 2021, Fangwei recorded her first album, featuring Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor with the Asian Philharmonic, which was released in 2022. Earlier in 2023, she received the award for “Best Piano Concerto Album of the Year 2022” from the China Guangdong Musicians Association for her debut album.
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