The Strings of Schumann
Li-Wei Qin × Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra
Hangzhou Grand Theatre · February 24, 2024
Overview
On the evening of the Lantern Festival, cellist Li-Wei Qin joins the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Yang Yang for a romantic celebration of Robert Schumann’s music.
Titled “The Strings of Schumann,” the concert presents Schumann’s Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52, the Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.129, and Shchedrin’s orchestral adaptation of Bizet’s Carmen Suite — a program intertwining lyrical introspection, virtuosic dialogue, and dramatic color.
Schumann’s Cello Concerto, one of the cornerstones of the instrument’s repertoire, showcases both technical mastery and poetic depth. Written in 1850 and premiered posthumously, the work unfolds in three movements performed without pause, embodying Schumann’s late romantic ideal of unity between soloist and orchestra.
“To master Schumann’s Concerto is to balance both intellect and emotion — it is a true test of a cellist’s artistic maturity.”
Li-Wei Qin
About the Works
Schumann: Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.129
Composed in 1850, the Cello Concerto in A Minor was among Schumann’s final works and was only premiered after his death. Unlike traditional concertos with bravura cadenzas, Schumann’s approach is introspective and continuous — the three movements flow seamlessly, creating a single emotional arc.
The concerto’s expressive beauty and structural innovation have earned it a place alongside Dvořák and Haydn as one of the “Three Great Cello Concertos,” demanding both technical finesse and profound musical insight from its performer.
Programme
Robert Schumann (1810–1856)
Overture, Scherzo and Finale, Op.52
Robert Schumann
Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op.129
I. Nicht zu schnell
II. Langsam
III. Sehr lebhaft
— Intermission —
Georges Bizet (1838–1875) / Rodion Shchedrin (b.1932)
Carmen Suite
Artists
Li-Wei Qin — Cello
Praised by The New York Times for his “ravishingly beautiful tone, flawless intonation, and ironclad technique,” Li-Wei Qin is recognized as one of the foremost cellists of his generation. A laureate of both the Tchaikovskyand Naumburg International Competitions, he has performed with orchestras such as the London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, and Berlin Radio Symphony, collaborating with conductors including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Yu Long, and Christoph Eschenbach.
His extensive discography on Decca, Universal, and Sony Classical includes Beethoven’s Complete Cello Sonatas, Rachmaninoff Works, and Elgar / Britten / Walton Concertos with the London Philharmonic.
Qin 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, Beijing.
Yang Yang — Conductor
Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra, Yang Yang is one of China’s most accomplished conductors. A graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music, he has led major Chinese orchestras including the China Philharmonic, Shanghai Symphony, and Guangzhou Symphony. His performances are known for their balance of precision, expressive warmth, and architectural clarity. Under his direction, the Hangzhou Philharmonic has become one of China’s leading orchestras, acclaimed for its dynamic artistry and refined sound.
Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded in 2009, the Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra is one of China’s most vibrant symphonic ensembles. With Yang Yang as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, the orchestra is celebrated for its creative programming and refined tonal palette. Its repertoire spans Western masterworks and contemporary Chinese compositions, regularly collaborating with world-class soloists to present concerts of depth, imagination, and artistry.
Venue
Hangzhou Grand Theatre — Opera Hall
February 24, 2024 · 19:30