Zhang Haochen's dialogue with Beethoven in later years

Zhang Haochen, one of today’s most sought-after pianists who had spent several of his junior years in Shenzhen and went on to captivate the audiences around the world, will return to the city Thursday, presenting his dialogue with Beethoven in the composer’s later years.

Zhang Haochen

The program will include Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No. 24 in F-sharp Major, Op. 78,” “Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106,” “Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 109” and “Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111.”

All four sonatas, composed in Beethoven’s late period, are defined by his ambition to write new-sounding and more difficult music and to incorporate more polyphonic styles from past composers such as Bach and Handel into his own music.

Much of the music has an intellectual intensity, which however does not distract from their appeal to fans who are just beginning to appreciate classical music. Worth noting is “Sonata No. 29,” also known as “Hammerklavier Sonata” (meaning “hammer piano”), the nickname referring to the wide dynamic range of the piece. Over 40 minutes in length, this sonata is not only the longest Beethoven ever wrote but is also the most difficult.

Except for “No. 24,” the others chosen for this concert were written after the composer had lost his hearing. “These works reveal to me the complexity of life, as I can experience Beethoven’s struggles, courage and loneliness in his great ambition,” Zhang says. “The composer was paying homage to his predecessors, but was clearly not indulging in the past but trying to create something new; he was expressive, but refused to be interpreted with ease.”

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied under Gary Graffman, Zhang has also been studying periodically with Andreas Haefliger in Vienna. Since his gold medal win at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009, Zhang has captivated audiences around the world with his musical sensitivity, imagination and virtuosity. In 2017, he received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes talented musicians with the potential for a major career in music.

He regularly appears with the world’s leading festivals and orchestras. He’s also an avid chamber musician, collaborating with colleagues such as the Dover, Shanghai, Tokyo and Brentano Quartets. Last year, he published in Chinese a collection of essays reflecting on music and philosophy, which garnered 8.9 points out of 10 on douban.com, a leading culture and art fan site in China.

Time: 8 p.m., Oct. 19

Tickets: 80-680 yuan

Booking: WeChat account “szyyt_piao”

Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, Futian District (深圳音乐厅)

Metro: Line 3 or 4 to Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D