Yingdi Sun × Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra
The Great Hall, Pilsen · Czech Republic · June 6, 2019
Overview
On June 6, 2019, pianist Yingdi Sun — Gold Medalist of the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition — appeared with the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert held at The Great Hall in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Conducted by Ronald Zollman, the program brought together German Romanticism and early Romantic virtuosity, culminating in Liszt’s dazzling Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S.124.
Program
Carl Maria von Weber — Overture to Oberon, J.291
Franz Liszt — Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, S.124
Robert Schumann — Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op.120
Artists
Yingdi Sun — Piano
Winner of the 7th International Franz Liszt Piano Competition (Utrecht, 2005), Sun is acclaimed for his combination of technical mastery and poetic insight. His interpretation of Liszt’s First Piano Concerto was praised for its brilliance, structural precision, and emotional vitality — a performance that resonated deeply with Czech audiences in the birthplace of so many Romantic traditions.
Conductor — Ronald Zollman
Born in Antwerp, Belgium in 1950, Zollman studied at the Royal Conservatories of Antwerp and Brussels and later worked with Igor Markevitch and Nadia Boulanger. He has held leadership positions with major orchestras including the National Orchestra of Belgium, Orquestra Filarmónica de la UNAM (Mexico), and Haifa Symphony Orchestra (Israel). Since 2014, he has served as Chief Conductor of the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra. His distinguished international career spans over five continents and collaborations with more than 150 orchestras.
Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra
Originally founded as the Pilsen Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Pilsen Philharmonic has become one of the most respected ensembles in the Czech Republic. Known for its warm, transparent sound and rich tradition, the orchestra performs regularly across Europe and the United States — including major venues such as Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Linz, Berlin, Zurich, and Prague. In August 2017, the orchestra appeared at the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and in both 2014 and 2015 it received the City of Pilsen Art Award.
Venue
The Great Hall, Pilsen (Velký sál, Plzeň) —
A historic concert venue renowned for its acoustics and its place at the heart of Czech musical life, hosting the Pilsen Philharmonic’s major symphonic programs.