Cello & Piano Recital
The Farewell Tour Begins
Li-Wei Qin × Kathryn Stott
Chengdu City Concert Hall · September 2, 2024 · 19:30
Overview
Two world-renowned musicians — cellist Li-Wei Qin and pianist Kathryn Stott — join forces for the China debut of their duo recital, marking the first stop of Stott’s farewell tour before she retires from public performance at the end of 2024.
Praised by The New York Times for his “ravishingly beautiful tone, flawless intonation, and ironclad technique,” Li-Wei Qin stands among the world’s leading cellists. His artistry combines intellectual depth, technical mastery, and emotional honesty.
Kathryn Stott, hailed as “a pianist of rare imagination and radiant insight,” is one of Britain’s most distinguished and versatile musicians. Known internationally for her long-standing partnership with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Stott has performed in the world’s greatest halls for over four decades and leaves an indelible mark on the global chamber music scene.
Their Chengdu recital promises an evening of poetic intimacy and musical dialogue — from the lyricism of Schumann and the folkloric brilliance of Kodály, to the passion of Brahms and the emotional breadth of Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata.
Program
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) — Fantasiestücke, Op.73
Zoltán Kodály (1882–1967) — Sonatina for Cello and Piano
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) — Cello Sonata No.1 in E Minor, Op.38
— Intermission —
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943) — Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op.19
“Music will always be a huge part of my life,
I look forward to this final chapter on the concert platform — and hope you’ll join me along the way.”
Stott, 2023
Artists
Kathryn Stott — Piano
A pianist of imagination, versatility, and warmth, Kathryn Stott is celebrated worldwide as both soloist and chamber musician. Born in Lancashire, she studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School and the Royal Academy of Music, and in 1978 was a prizewinner at the Leeds International Piano Competition.
Her mentors included Nadia Boulanger, Vlado Perlemuter, and Kendall Taylor. Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, she has performed in the world’s leading venues and collaborated with major artists including Yo-Yo Ma, Christian Poltéra, Janine Jansen, Karen Gomyo, and Truls Mørk.
Her partnership with Yo-Yo Ma has lasted over 30 years, resulting in multiple award-winning recordings such as Songs from the Arc of Life, Obrigado Brazil, and Soul of the Tango (Grammy Award). A passionate advocate for young musicians, she serves as Professor at the Royal Northern College of Music and was Artistic Director of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (2018–2021).
In September 2023, Stott announced her retirement from the concert stage at the end of 2024, bringing to a close one of the most inspiring and generous careers in modern classical music.
“Music has given me a life full of connection, emotion, and joy.
I look forward to celebrating this journey with audiences one last time.”
— Kathryn Stott
Li-Wei Qin — Cello
Described by The New York Times as possessing “a ravishingly beautiful tone, flawless intonation, and ironclad technique,” Li-Wei Qin is recognized as one of the world’s foremost cellists. A laureate of the Tchaikovsky and Naumburg International Competitions, he has appeared with the London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and Berlin Radio Symphony under conductors such as Ashkenazy, Yu Long, and Eschenbach.
His extensive discography with Decca, Universal, and Sony Classical includes Beethoven’s Complete Cello Sonatas, Rachmaninoff Works, and Elgar / Britten / Walton Concertos. He currently serves as Professor of Cello at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, and Guest Professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
Venue
Chengdu City Concert Hall — Concert Hall
September 2, 2024 · 19:30