Wednesday, Sep. 30, 2009

Pianist coming to Clayton

Pianist Xiayin Wang has performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, but she's just as focused on her upcoming concert at The Clayton Center.

"It doesn't matter how big the venue is," said Wang, who will perform Saturday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. "I found that I treat every single performance the same way."

In Clayton, Wang plans to play jazzy songs by George Gershwin and classical pieces by Bach, Haydn and Chopin.

"I do like to play a lot of different styles," said Wang, whose first named is pronounced "sha-een." "This entire program has lots of color, lots of attractive emotions going on."

Wang recently released a recording of music by the Russian composer Alexander Scriabin, and she will play several pieces off the CD. She said she became a fan of Scriabin when she heard his music in a performance by pianist Vladimir Horowitz.

"I fell in love with Scriabin right away," she said. "His music is very fiery, very full of passion."

Critics have described Wang as an up-and-coming young performer on the classical music scene, and her career has taken off in the past couple years with new recordings and performances at major venues. Next year, she is scheduled to premiere a work by contemporary composer Richard Danielpour.

Wang had her first piano lessons at age 5 in her native China. She credits her parents for supporting her endeavors as a child. "This road was not easy," Wang said. "My parents spent a lot of time and energy on me."

She studied at the Shanghai Conservatory before coming to the United States to continue at the Manhattan School of Music. Now Wang enjoys passing on her knowledge to young musicians, and she has a master class scheduled at N.C. State University after the Clayton show.

"I think it's very important to let the younger generation know how I am enjoying this career," Wang said.

For tickets, which are $20, call 919-553-1737.