The first snow in Beijing in 2016 came earlier than usual, but this did not affect the passion and light that Chinese female pianist Yuja Wang radiated on the black and white keys - November 18, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang The concert with the famous American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra will be held at the National Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
Her fingers were as fast as lightning on the keyboard
This will be the last time Yuja Wang, the youngest female piano "artist-in-residence" at the NCPA, performs here this year, and this is the first time she has performed on the stage at the NCPA. It has been six years - in 2010, she wore a red dress and played Stravinsky's "Petrushka" happily in the small hall of the Bolshoi Theatre. After the song ended, there was a short period of silence, and then the sound of applause and encore (meaning to sing and play another song) in this small hall that could only accommodate 500 people almost blew the roof off. "The famous music critic Ke Hui recalled.
being able to perform at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing is undoubtedly a recognition and praise for any artist's status in the industry. For this native Beijing girl, there was another five-finger shining in 2010, a bright golden crown was added to her iconic short hair.
and Rolex
That year, the 23-year-old Yuja Wang became associated with Rolex and became a hand-in-hand partner on the road of music and art. "Wang Yuja, the piano girl whose fingertips dance gracefully on the keyboard, although she is emerging in the music industry , but her achievements cannot be underestimated. She has collaborated with many world-renowned conductors and world-renowned symphony orchestras, and has won numerous praises.
Her playing style is both natural and fearless as a young person, and full of imagination. The rigor and precision of a mature artist. Her precise and agile interpretation of music perfectly matches the century-old pursuit of precision and excellence by Rolex, the leading watch brand.” At that time, Rolex’s statement to the world was still there. Ear, this is what I hear.
Photography | Jie Fei
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 28 18ct Eternal Rose Gold
Burgundy Turtleneck Sweater JORYA
Burgundy Leather Skirt JORYA
Over the years, Rolex has spared no effort to support global art causes and has provided long-term sponsorship. Among many artists, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is the youngest among them. Yuja's skillful and stable precision combined with the fearless imagination of young people, Yuja's ability to control piano playing has been described by music critics as "astonishing" and "extraordinary". Her performance of the most technically complex pieces is familiar and accurate. Her musical insight is extremely deep, her interpretation is full of freshness, and her elegant stage charm is also highly praised.
"San Francisco Daily" described it this way: "Chinese pianist Yuja Wang's development in today's music scene is really exciting. Listening to her performance live will completely overturn your original idea of how beautifully a person can play the piano. Everything is hypothetical.”
On September 2 this year, Yujia Wang held a solo piano recital at the Grand Theater Concert Hall. This was the third consecutive year that she held a recital here. In the first half of the performance, Yuja Wang playfully stuck out her mushroom-shaped short-haired head and waved cordially to everyone, amidst the waves of applause from the audience, just like meeting long-lost old friends at the airport exit. .
She still appeared wearing red-soled shoes that were more than ten centimeters tall. Her green sequined wrap short skirt made people involuntarily think of the brand color of Rolex, which she endorsed, and more appropriately outlined her exquisite figure. curve.
Yuja Wang’s performance scene
Yuja Wang’s performance clothing has always been a topic. In 2014, a reporter from the British " Daily Telegraph " interviewed Yuja and asked about her "love for tight miniskirts." She answered nonchalantly: "I am 26 years old, so naturally I wear 26-year-old clothes. When I am 40 years old, I will consider wearing long skirts.""
But after more than half a year of "embedded" interviews with "New Yorker" reporter Janet Malcolm, the reporter's judgment in the article was that "she knows that small tights can highlight her beauty, while loose clothes do not." There is no way to do this. She knew very well that the audience was not only paying attention to her music, but also to her clothes. Many soloists pretend not to know this. "
"Everyone knows that Yuja Wang's keyboard skills are almost unique in the world."
Unlike the lively audience, music fans who listen to the music will still express more professional praise on personal social platforms after the performance. Music critic Katsuragi said in the circle of friends Zhong wrote that he used to come to listen to Yuja Wang's piano concerto, but this time he came here specifically to listen to the recital (solo).
Katsuragi said: "The sound of Beethoven's hammer keys in the second half can be heard that Yuja has put in a lot of effort. Compared with the second movement of Ravel's piano concerto a few days ago, the Adagio in the third movement has improved a lot in terms of atmosphere and touch. The fourth movement separates the main melody from the chaos, which is Yuja's specialty. In the end, the most important thing is that she actually performed six encores! The first song is wonderful, but preparing so many encores is difficult and energy-consuming. Not just any pianist can do it. For this reason, continue to fan. "
"Everyone knows that Yuja Wang's keyboard skills are almost unparalleled in the world." She can easily master those difficult repertoire recognized in the music world. The difficulty may be overcome through training, but her performance level can be so skillful that she can even just stroll around. She is a genius. Whether it is octaves, single fingers or chords, her fingers are as fast as lightning on the keyboard.
Photography 丨 Jie Fei
This is not the first time our reporter has conducted a face-to-face interview with Wang Yujia. This is how I felt when I first met Yu Jia: is playful, sassy, and full of life. She looked like a cat-like woman when she stepped into the studio on high heels. Looking at her short hair and the slender neck exposed behind the hairline, it seems that she is actually a classical musician with a bit of modern rock elements. When she sits down, you can truly feel the charm exuded by this Beijing girl. Before the interview, I collected and watched Wang Yuja's performances in various periods. At the lightest time, it was like a kitten rolling paper, tickling my heart; at the most serious time, it was like lightning and thunder, making my heart unrestrained.
The special thing about Yu Jia is that every time her fingertips flow rapidly and she seamlessly combines with the piano, people will always feel that music is such a beautiful existence. During the photoshoot, every time Yuja finished changing her clothes, she would turn around in front of the mirror and look up and down several times. She would lower her head and ask the photographer if the clothes fit her and looked good. When she received encouragement, she would grin happily. . With such an appearance, it is difficult to imagine that she has a little girl side even though she is so radiant on stage.
Obviously, Yuja Wang’s affinity quickly captured the hearts of many people who were filming at the scene. They quickly held the following views and aggrieved that Yuja’s clothes were criticized by some people: Classical music is indeed serious, but this is not It means that it can determine what a musician wears. To what extent can one's lack of cultivation be enough to correlate the length of a skirt with the quality of a performer?
Yu Jia is a girl born in the 1980s and one of the most influential top piano players in China. But before she became all this, she was first a girl. Apart from her identity as a pianist, like all teenagers, she likes novelty. and fashion. On the stage, her intense playing always bursts with vitality, and there is no contradiction between her gorgeous skills and beautiful clothes. On the contrary, her unique dressing style better interprets the international style that is different from other Chinese artists to a certain extent.
Photography | Jie Fei
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 28 18ct Eternal Rose Gold
Black woolen dress
MICHAEL KORS
Black fur hat
MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS
Yes, no matter what, for Wang Yujia, this year is hers A time to shine and have a full schedule.From her debut in 2005, she performed on the same stage with the National Arts Center Orchestra led by Pincus Zuckerman, to this year's Salzburg Music Festival , where she held a concert with the Camerata Orchestra. Her growth is obvious to all, and her playing fills the air with excitement.
This "prodigy" who is already a piano master and still looks childish in his daily speech and dress attributes all of this to the gift of music itself to life. "I like music. Music can make me happy, so I am willing to play it repeatedly." Listen. Music requires thinking and can lead me to another realm. I think music is a record and reflection of an era and culture, and can make people dance to it. I can’t imagine life without music,” she said.
looked just like when she came to study at the Central Conservatory of Music Primary School more than 20 years ago. At that time, she was already a child star. All the children stared at her, as if she was a child in the zoo. New variety ". Oh my god, she's here!" Looking back now, Yuja Wang still laughs out loud.
"The greater the talent, the more patience and time are needed"
The winter of 2016 came earlier to Beijing. Leo people undoubtedly prefer the hot summer. What interesting things have you done this summer?
Yuja Wang : It’s summer starting in June, right? As soon as the sun shines outside, I feel like sleeping. I have been very busy this year. I had a concert in Europe, then went to South America, and then went on tour to Salzburg. I also held solo concerts in Berlin and Paris. In the summer, I made short stops in Los Angeles, Boston and other places. It felt like I just stopped in one place and left. Oh yes, there is also the Verbier Music Festival in Switzerland. This is my first time going to this music festival. After all, it is the place where Mozart was born. I played Ravel and Gershwin there. He is an American composer. Home.
When you return to your hometown of Beijing, have you ever visited the Music High School and the Primary School?
Wang Yujia : I have been very busy these days. Previously at the Salzburg Music Festival, I collaborated with a percussion band on "One Study One Summary". It is a brand new form of duet . The work itself is very difficult because the original song was composed for percussion and two pianos. , we adapted it into a piano. Another difficulty was adapting the symphony to percussion. It is indeed not easy to overcome these two problems. There are only two or three days of rehearsal time, with almost no rest from nine in the morning to eleven in the evening. I will go to the UK tomorrow and fly back to Beijing to give a solo concert after work.
Speaking of childhood, I would like to know when did you decide in your heart that you would rely on the piano for your life?
Yujia Wang: Looking back, I fell in love with music naturally. When I first started studying, I didn’t think about long-term dreams. I remember that I didn’t listen to CDs much when I was a child. It wasn’t until I was 9 or 10 years old that I started listening to a lot of classical music. It felt very good and I was very excited when performing on stage. I’m afraid that’s when I realized that I really fell in love with music. Of course, there were times when practicing fingering when you were young was boring, but once you thought about the benefits that would come from laying the foundation, you persevered. I was lucky. The teacher's teaching methods were very correct and did not make me take any detours. Moreover, the teacher's imagination was rich and his guidance was good, so I didn't feel bored.
Compared to the arduous practice, many music critics are now talking about your talent. I heard someone say that your hand shape is very good, and your five fingers can cover almost 180-degree area.
Wang Yujia : Fallacy (laughing), you open your hand like that even if you open it as hard as you can! Look at my hands. They are small, thin and soft. They are called "noodle hands" by the teacher. My teacher told me earnestly that I would be better off learning the violin or dancing, but my hands were not suitable for playing the piano. However, I am very grateful to my mother. She said that if you like piano, just learn it. You don’t need to think too much about a hobby. Facts and time have proven that my hands have pretty good flexibility, and the control of my strength must be what makes me special. Therefore, it does not mean that it is easier for people with bigger hands to play the piano. Each has its own advantages.
I heard that until now, you have to spend a lot of time practicing piano every day. Which do you think is more important, talent or hard work?
Yuja Wang: There is a saying that goes like this: Leonardo da Vinci spent at least 10,000 hours painting before he wrote the "Mona Lisa"; Mozart practiced at least 10,000 hours before he wrote Concerto No. 9 ; Bill Gates designed the program for 7 years before and Microsoft were created. Darwin said: "I have always believed that except for fools, there is not much difference in intelligence between people. The only difference is enthusiasm and hard work." If people want to make a difference, they rely more on strict self-discipline and high-intensity dedication. I think both talent and hard work are important. The greater the talent, the more patience and time are needed to discover it. For me, the more time I spend practicing piano, the better. But practicing piano does not matter where I am. I practice hard when there is a piano. When there is no piano, such as waiting for a flight or on an airplane, I will listen to music. , let’s interpret the structure of the music again and again.
How many times will you perform at the National Center for the Performing Arts on September 2?
Wang Yujia : There are so many times that I can’t count them. I went abroad when I was 14, and my first performance back in China was when I came back from the Lucerne Music Festival with Obado at the age of 21. The difference this time is that for the first time, the National Center for the Performing Arts has a resident musician. The performance is not just one time, but there will be solo, concerto, and ensemble performances in the future, and the repertoire is also different. I will return from San Francisco in November and return to the Grand Theater in February next year. My repertoire is always new and exciting. The performance on September 2nd will not only be good to listen to, but will also be a great challenge for me, my co-musicians, and even the audience. Among them, the recital included Beethoven's longest sonata, which lasted 50 minutes and no one dared to play it. I wanted to express the spiritual meaning of Beethoven's deafness. At the same time, I also want to share it with the Chinese audience. I did not choose popular repertoire for the concerto. I think the Chinese audience is no longer limited to this, and they are also ready to enjoy challenges. Very few people play these three Bartók concertos, maybe only one or two. It is also my first time to play. After many rehearsals, I believe I can do it.
What’s so special about your collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in November?
Yujia Wang: When I was 17 years old, Michael Tilson Thomas, director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, took a liking to me. I often perform in the western United States, where there are more Asians. I had a tour in Asia two years ago, and because I have a good relationship with him, we can often talk about what to play and how to play it. We feel very comfortable talking. Touring with him is like taking a vacation.
The San Francisco band is called the "Rainbow Band". What's the spark of your collaboration with them?
Yuja Wang : Most of my favorite orchestras are in Europe, Vienna Berlin and so on. In the United States, because I live in New York, I collaborate more with the New York Philharmonic. I have three shows in New York this year, and generally everyone else has one.
"Wow, I'm thirty!"
You became a Rolex spokesperson in 2009. Can you share how this fate began?
Yuja Wang : My personal favorite live broadcast platform is Medici. My performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, Salzburg, and Beijing will all be broadcast live through it. This is a great promotion for classical music, but it also puts a lot of pressure on me. These three different places are the most famous locally. Carnegie Hall symbolizes the United States, Salzburg is the place where Mozart was born, and Beijing is my home. I like this kind of global performance. It must be that I first met Rolex at the Verbier Music Festival when I was 21 years old. Rolex is a sponsor of Verbier. They liked my performance very much after they saw it. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to become the youngest artist signed by Rolex.
The first snow in Beijing in 2016 came earlier than usual, but this did not affect the passion and light that Chinese female pianist Yuja Wang radiated on the black and white keys - November 18, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang The concert with the famous American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra will be held at the National Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
Her fingers were as fast as lightning on the keyboard
This will be the last time Yuja Wang, the youngest female piano "artist-in-residence" at the NCPA, performs here this year, and this is the first time she has performed on the stage at the NCPA. It has been six years - in 2010, she wore a red dress and played Stravinsky's "Petrushka" happily in the small hall of the Bolshoi Theatre. After the song ended, there was a short period of silence, and then the sound of applause and encore (meaning to sing and play another song) in this small hall that could only accommodate 500 people almost blew the roof off. "The famous music critic Ke Hui recalled.
being able to perform at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing is undoubtedly a recognition and praise for any artist's status in the industry. For this native Beijing girl, there was another five-finger shining in 2010, a bright golden crown was added to her iconic short hair.
and Rolex
That year, the 23-year-old Yuja Wang became associated with Rolex and became a hand-in-hand partner on the road of music and art. "Wang Yuja, the piano girl whose fingertips dance gracefully on the keyboard, although she is emerging in the music industry , but her achievements cannot be underestimated. She has collaborated with many world-renowned conductors and world-renowned symphony orchestras, and has won numerous praises.
Her playing style is both natural and fearless as a young person, and full of imagination. The rigor and precision of a mature artist. Her precise and agile interpretation of music perfectly matches the century-old pursuit of precision and excellence by Rolex, the leading watch brand.” At that time, Rolex’s statement to the world was still there. Ear, this is what I hear.
Photography | Jie Fei
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 28 18ct Eternal Rose Gold
Burgundy Turtleneck Sweater JORYA
Burgundy Leather Skirt JORYA
Over the years, Rolex has spared no effort to support global art causes and has provided long-term sponsorship. Among many artists, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang is the youngest among them. Yuja's skillful and stable precision combined with the fearless imagination of young people, Yuja's ability to control piano playing has been described by music critics as "astonishing" and "extraordinary". Her performance of the most technically complex pieces is familiar and accurate. Her musical insight is extremely deep, her interpretation is full of freshness, and her elegant stage charm is also highly praised.
"San Francisco Daily" described it this way: "Chinese pianist Yuja Wang's development in today's music scene is really exciting. Listening to her performance live will completely overturn your original idea of how beautifully a person can play the piano. Everything is hypothetical.”
On September 2 this year, Yujia Wang held a solo piano recital at the Grand Theater Concert Hall. This was the third consecutive year that she held a recital here. In the first half of the performance, Yuja Wang playfully stuck out her mushroom-shaped short-haired head and waved cordially to everyone, amidst the waves of applause from the audience, just like meeting long-lost old friends at the airport exit. .
She still appeared wearing red-soled shoes that were more than ten centimeters tall. Her green sequined wrap short skirt made people involuntarily think of the brand color of Rolex, which she endorsed, and more appropriately outlined her exquisite figure. curve.
Yuja Wang’s performance scene
Yuja Wang’s performance clothing has always been a topic. In 2014, a reporter from the British " Daily Telegraph " interviewed Yuja and asked about her "love for tight miniskirts." She answered nonchalantly: "I am 26 years old, so naturally I wear 26-year-old clothes. When I am 40 years old, I will consider wearing long skirts.""
But after more than half a year of "embedded" interviews with "New Yorker" reporter Janet Malcolm, the reporter's judgment in the article was that "she knows that small tights can highlight her beauty, while loose clothes do not." There is no way to do this. She knew very well that the audience was not only paying attention to her music, but also to her clothes. Many soloists pretend not to know this. "
"Everyone knows that Yuja Wang's keyboard skills are almost unique in the world."
Unlike the lively audience, music fans who listen to the music will still express more professional praise on personal social platforms after the performance. Music critic Katsuragi said in the circle of friends Zhong wrote that he used to come to listen to Yuja Wang's piano concerto, but this time he came here specifically to listen to the recital (solo).
Katsuragi said: "The sound of Beethoven's hammer keys in the second half can be heard that Yuja has put in a lot of effort. Compared with the second movement of Ravel's piano concerto a few days ago, the Adagio in the third movement has improved a lot in terms of atmosphere and touch. The fourth movement separates the main melody from the chaos, which is Yuja's specialty. In the end, the most important thing is that she actually performed six encores! The first song is wonderful, but preparing so many encores is difficult and energy-consuming. Not just any pianist can do it. For this reason, continue to fan. "
"Everyone knows that Yuja Wang's keyboard skills are almost unparalleled in the world." She can easily master those difficult repertoire recognized in the music world. The difficulty may be overcome through training, but her performance level can be so skillful that she can even just stroll around. She is a genius. Whether it is octaves, single fingers or chords, her fingers are as fast as lightning on the keyboard.
Photography 丨 Jie Fei
This is not the first time our reporter has conducted a face-to-face interview with Wang Yujia. This is how I felt when I first met Yu Jia: is playful, sassy, and full of life. She looked like a cat-like woman when she stepped into the studio on high heels. Looking at her short hair and the slender neck exposed behind the hairline, it seems that she is actually a classical musician with a bit of modern rock elements. When she sits down, you can truly feel the charm exuded by this Beijing girl. Before the interview, I collected and watched Wang Yuja's performances in various periods. At the lightest time, it was like a kitten rolling paper, tickling my heart; at the most serious time, it was like lightning and thunder, making my heart unrestrained.
The special thing about Yu Jia is that every time her fingertips flow rapidly and she seamlessly combines with the piano, people will always feel that music is such a beautiful existence. During the photoshoot, every time Yuja finished changing her clothes, she would turn around in front of the mirror and look up and down several times. She would lower her head and ask the photographer if the clothes fit her and looked good. When she received encouragement, she would grin happily. . With such an appearance, it is difficult to imagine that she has a little girl side even though she is so radiant on stage.
Obviously, Yuja Wang’s affinity quickly captured the hearts of many people who were filming at the scene. They quickly held the following views and aggrieved that Yuja’s clothes were criticized by some people: Classical music is indeed serious, but this is not It means that it can determine what a musician wears. To what extent can one's lack of cultivation be enough to correlate the length of a skirt with the quality of a performer?
Yu Jia is a girl born in the 1980s and one of the most influential top piano players in China. But before she became all this, she was first a girl. Apart from her identity as a pianist, like all teenagers, she likes novelty. and fashion. On the stage, her intense playing always bursts with vitality, and there is no contradiction between her gorgeous skills and beautiful clothes. On the contrary, her unique dressing style better interprets the international style that is different from other Chinese artists to a certain extent.
Photography | Jie Fei
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 28 18ct Eternal Rose Gold
Black woolen dress
MICHAEL KORS
Black fur hat
MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS
Yes, no matter what, for Wang Yujia, this year is hers A time to shine and have a full schedule.From her debut in 2005, she performed on the same stage with the National Arts Center Orchestra led by Pincus Zuckerman, to this year's Salzburg Music Festival , where she held a concert with the Camerata Orchestra. Her growth is obvious to all, and her playing fills the air with excitement.
This "prodigy" who is already a piano master and still looks childish in his daily speech and dress attributes all of this to the gift of music itself to life. "I like music. Music can make me happy, so I am willing to play it repeatedly." Listen. Music requires thinking and can lead me to another realm. I think music is a record and reflection of an era and culture, and can make people dance to it. I can’t imagine life without music,” she said.
looked just like when she came to study at the Central Conservatory of Music Primary School more than 20 years ago. At that time, she was already a child star. All the children stared at her, as if she was a child in the zoo. New variety ". Oh my god, she's here!" Looking back now, Yuja Wang still laughs out loud.
"The greater the talent, the more patience and time are needed"
The winter of 2016 came earlier to Beijing. Leo people undoubtedly prefer the hot summer. What interesting things have you done this summer?
Yuja Wang : It’s summer starting in June, right? As soon as the sun shines outside, I feel like sleeping. I have been very busy this year. I had a concert in Europe, then went to South America, and then went on tour to Salzburg. I also held solo concerts in Berlin and Paris. In the summer, I made short stops in Los Angeles, Boston and other places. It felt like I just stopped in one place and left. Oh yes, there is also the Verbier Music Festival in Switzerland. This is my first time going to this music festival. After all, it is the place where Mozart was born. I played Ravel and Gershwin there. He is an American composer. Home.
When you return to your hometown of Beijing, have you ever visited the Music High School and the Primary School?
Wang Yujia : I have been very busy these days. Previously at the Salzburg Music Festival, I collaborated with a percussion band on "One Study One Summary". It is a brand new form of duet . The work itself is very difficult because the original song was composed for percussion and two pianos. , we adapted it into a piano. Another difficulty was adapting the symphony to percussion. It is indeed not easy to overcome these two problems. There are only two or three days of rehearsal time, with almost no rest from nine in the morning to eleven in the evening. I will go to the UK tomorrow and fly back to Beijing to give a solo concert after work.
Speaking of childhood, I would like to know when did you decide in your heart that you would rely on the piano for your life?
Yujia Wang: Looking back, I fell in love with music naturally. When I first started studying, I didn’t think about long-term dreams. I remember that I didn’t listen to CDs much when I was a child. It wasn’t until I was 9 or 10 years old that I started listening to a lot of classical music. It felt very good and I was very excited when performing on stage. I’m afraid that’s when I realized that I really fell in love with music. Of course, there were times when practicing fingering when you were young was boring, but once you thought about the benefits that would come from laying the foundation, you persevered. I was lucky. The teacher's teaching methods were very correct and did not make me take any detours. Moreover, the teacher's imagination was rich and his guidance was good, so I didn't feel bored.
Compared to the arduous practice, many music critics are now talking about your talent. I heard someone say that your hand shape is very good, and your five fingers can cover almost 180-degree area.
Wang Yujia : Fallacy (laughing), you open your hand like that even if you open it as hard as you can! Look at my hands. They are small, thin and soft. They are called "noodle hands" by the teacher. My teacher told me earnestly that I would be better off learning the violin or dancing, but my hands were not suitable for playing the piano. However, I am very grateful to my mother. She said that if you like piano, just learn it. You don’t need to think too much about a hobby. Facts and time have proven that my hands have pretty good flexibility, and the control of my strength must be what makes me special. Therefore, it does not mean that it is easier for people with bigger hands to play the piano. Each has its own advantages.
I heard that until now, you have to spend a lot of time practicing piano every day. Which do you think is more important, talent or hard work?
Yuja Wang: There is a saying that goes like this: Leonardo da Vinci spent at least 10,000 hours painting before he wrote the "Mona Lisa"; Mozart practiced at least 10,000 hours before he wrote Concerto No. 9 ; Bill Gates designed the program for 7 years before and Microsoft were created. Darwin said: "I have always believed that except for fools, there is not much difference in intelligence between people. The only difference is enthusiasm and hard work." If people want to make a difference, they rely more on strict self-discipline and high-intensity dedication. I think both talent and hard work are important. The greater the talent, the more patience and time are needed to discover it. For me, the more time I spend practicing piano, the better. But practicing piano does not matter where I am. I practice hard when there is a piano. When there is no piano, such as waiting for a flight or on an airplane, I will listen to music. , let’s interpret the structure of the music again and again.
How many times will you perform at the National Center for the Performing Arts on September 2?
Wang Yujia : There are so many times that I can’t count them. I went abroad when I was 14, and my first performance back in China was when I came back from the Lucerne Music Festival with Obado at the age of 21. The difference this time is that for the first time, the National Center for the Performing Arts has a resident musician. The performance is not just one time, but there will be solo, concerto, and ensemble performances in the future, and the repertoire is also different. I will return from San Francisco in November and return to the Grand Theater in February next year. My repertoire is always new and exciting. The performance on September 2nd will not only be good to listen to, but will also be a great challenge for me, my co-musicians, and even the audience. Among them, the recital included Beethoven's longest sonata, which lasted 50 minutes and no one dared to play it. I wanted to express the spiritual meaning of Beethoven's deafness. At the same time, I also want to share it with the Chinese audience. I did not choose popular repertoire for the concerto. I think the Chinese audience is no longer limited to this, and they are also ready to enjoy challenges. Very few people play these three Bartók concertos, maybe only one or two. It is also my first time to play. After many rehearsals, I believe I can do it.
What’s so special about your collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in November?
Yujia Wang: When I was 17 years old, Michael Tilson Thomas, director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, took a liking to me. I often perform in the western United States, where there are more Asians. I had a tour in Asia two years ago, and because I have a good relationship with him, we can often talk about what to play and how to play it. We feel very comfortable talking. Touring with him is like taking a vacation.
The San Francisco band is called the "Rainbow Band". What's the spark of your collaboration with them?
Yuja Wang : Most of my favorite orchestras are in Europe, Vienna Berlin and so on. In the United States, because I live in New York, I collaborate more with the New York Philharmonic. I have three shows in New York this year, and generally everyone else has one.
"Wow, I'm thirty!"
You became a Rolex spokesperson in 2009. Can you share how this fate began?
Yuja Wang : My personal favorite live broadcast platform is Medici. My performances at Carnegie Hall in New York, Salzburg, and Beijing will all be broadcast live through it. This is a great promotion for classical music, but it also puts a lot of pressure on me. These three different places are the most famous locally. Carnegie Hall symbolizes the United States, Salzburg is the place where Mozart was born, and Beijing is my home. I like this kind of global performance. It must be that I first met Rolex at the Verbier Music Festival when I was 21 years old. Rolex is a sponsor of Verbier. They liked my performance very much after they saw it. I never thought that I would have the opportunity to become the youngest artist signed by Rolex.An interesting thing is that because I love sports, Rolex helped me meet my favorite tennis star Roger Federer, and later invited him to my concert, which gave me an unforgettable memory. It has been almost nine years since I joined hands with Rolex. They have also supported many music activities, and they also support me who loves classical music. I think classical music is elegant and can be fashionable at the same time, and Rolex agrees with me on this.
You wore an Oyster Perpetual women’s watch in 2012. Have you worn other models in recent years? What do you think?
Wang Yujia : I later wore a sports version, after all, I needed to play the piano. Yes, many people may take off their watches when playing, but I often forget to take them off when practicing. As I just said, Rolex has always been the backing of my music career and supports me behind the scenes. I am a girl who likes fashion. Sometimes I attend various music parties, maybe in Beijing or sometimes in Europe, and I wear a Rolex watch. Rolex itself is a symbol of fashion. It keeps accurate time, is modern, and can better show the beauty of women. The difference from short skirts and high heels is that it will not make you feel bored. It is classic and timeless, just like classical music.
As you are about to enter your thirties, what is your vision for your professional identity?
Wang Yujia : I don’t like to talk about growing up, and I don’t really like people asking me about my age, especially when I’m almost 30. When I was about to turn 20, I was thinking that I was no longer a teenager. Now I feel like, wow, I’m thirty! It's a bit incredible. I once saw a picture of a little girl telling her mother, "Mom, I want to be a musician when I grow up." My mother said, you have to choose, either become a musician or grow up. I feel that musicians never grow up and need a particularly strong childlike innocence to explore challenges. Classical music is an endless well. At the same time, I also like jazz and hip-pop. Music can be used to enrich life. People often ask me if I am tired from work. I think this is not exactly work, but also fun. I have been learning the piano since I was very young, and it has been more than 20 years in total. But then I thought about it, playing the piano may be a lifelong thing, and I will spend a long, long time with the piano in the future. A mentality and lifestyle of constant pursuit. I don’t want to think too much about future plans.
How to balance work and life? You know, this question is a bit circumstantial?
Yuja Wang : The only ones I have not tried are the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra . When I was 29 years old this year, I completed my cooperation with them. Vienna happened to be a piece of Mozart that I played on my birthday last year, and it was a great birthday present for me. Vienna is also a challenge for me, they are very strict, because I rarely play Mozart, so naturally I am a little nervous. When I have a lot of songs to prepare, I feel a little stressed, but this kind of pressure makes me excited and is another kind of motivation. Every stress is like a recharge, which will be needed after a while. To relieve stress, for example, I would choose to go for a walk in New York. Sometimes I would talk to myself while on a plane, digesting recent events in my mind. Regarding my life, everything seems to happen very quickly. I am in Beijing now, but I was in Salzburg a few days ago. I will meet different friends and have different repertoire to challenge. I have adapted to this. According to the rhythm of music, I will need time alone. Only when I am more comfortable with myself can I be able to communicate with others about music.
Who is your favorite pianist throughout the ages? Why?
Yuja Wang: At each stage, my favorite piano masters are different. My favorite is Vladimir Horowitz (Vladimir Horowitz), who is known as the last giant of classical romantic piano. His passion goes hand in hand with his music. He seems to have buried his soul in the piano, and his sense of color is very good, especially like a magician's performance, which is very vivid and catchy.Of course, there are times when I don't like him, and some of his performances make me feel that they are not realistic enough, but I always look at them with the mentality of learning from each other's strengths.
You have cooperated with many symphony orchestras at home and abroad and dozens of master conductors. Which one impressed you the most? What impact will working with them have on your music career?
Yuja Wang : Claudio Abbado is definitely the master-level representative who impressed me most. The first time I collaborated with him was when I was 22 years old at the Grand Theater of the Lucerne Music Festival. At that time, I thought he was too domineering. Later, I also collaborated with him on my concerto recordings. The way he looked at me during the collaboration is still fresh in my memory. However, the old man passed away a few years ago. I'm really lucky. I was lucky enough to collaborate with all the old artists I saw on CDs when I was a kid. It's amazing!
The above is excerpted from "Yujia Wang: A Well-Deserved Master, a 30-Year-Old Prodigy"
For the complete article and more exciting blockbusters, please see
The "Beijing Youth" weekly released on November 10, 2016
Article/Edited by Wang Zhao and Liu Chennan/Yun Yunran Photographer/Jie Fei fashion editor/Luo Yingzhuo
coordinator/Liu Chennan makeup and hair/Ding Wei (Dongtian styling) venue/Yimei House studio editor/Tian Rong in charge/Yang Xiaonan
cover clothing/burgundy color-blocking fur Vest iBLUES black sequined skirt MICHAEL MICHAELKORS watch Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 2818ct eternal rose gold watch / Rolex catalog picture provided / Rolex / Hugo Glendinning "
text / Wang Zheng, Liu Chennan
character photography / Jie Fei
editor / Yun Yun However
(some pictures are from the Internet)
Click on the cover image below to place an order for the new issue
"November 11, 2016 Dapeng Wang Yujia"
You have cooperated with many symphony orchestras at home and abroad and dozens of master conductors. Which one impressed you the most? What impact will working with them have on your music career?
Yuja Wang : Claudio Abbado is definitely the master-level representative who impressed me most. The first time I collaborated with him was when I was 22 years old at the Grand Theater of the Lucerne Music Festival. At that time, I thought he was too domineering. Later, I also collaborated with him on my concerto recordings. The way he looked at me during the collaboration is still fresh in my memory. However, the old man passed away a few years ago. I'm really lucky. I was lucky enough to collaborate with all the old artists I saw on CDs when I was a kid. It's amazing!
The above is excerpted from "Yujia Wang: A Well-Deserved Master, a 30-Year-Old Prodigy"
For the complete article and more exciting blockbusters, please see
The "Beijing Youth" weekly released on November 10, 2016
Article/Edited by Wang Zhao and Liu Chennan/Yun Yunran Photographer/Jie Fei fashion editor/Luo Yingzhuo
coordinator/Liu Chennan makeup and hair/Ding Wei (Dongtian styling) venue/Yimei House studio editor/Tian Rong in charge/Yang Xiaonan
cover clothing/burgundy color-blocking fur Vest iBLUES black sequined skirt MICHAEL MICHAELKORS watch Rolex Oyster Perpetual Women's Datejust 2818ct eternal rose gold watch / Rolex catalog picture provided / Rolex / Hugo Glendinning "
text / Wang Zheng, Liu Chennan
character photography / Jie Fei
editor / Yun Yun However
(some pictures are from the Internet)
Click on the cover image below to place an order for the new issue
"November 11, 2016 Dapeng Wang Yujia"
