Mélodie Zhao – Shades of Virtuosity and Soul

This evening’s program showcases pianist Mélodie Zhao in a journey through works that explore the full emotional and technical range of the piano—from modern-day virtuosity to Romantic imagination and expressive lyricism.

The recital opens with Shades of Paganini, an original work by Zhao that pays homage to the legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini, whose dazzling technique and magnetic stage presence inspired generations of composers and performers. In this work for solo piano, Zhao reimagines Paganini’s spirit through her own virtuosic lens, blending pianistic brilliance with thematic allusions to the famous Caprices. The result is a compelling modern tribute that draws on the rich tradition of Paganini-inspired piano works while expressing Zhao’s unique musical voice.

The program continues with Franz Liszt’s Après une lecture de Dante, one of the most dramatic pieces from his Années de pèlerinage: Italie. Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, Liszt crafts a vivid and emotionally charged musical narrative that moves from the torments of hell to the promise of redemption. Thunderous chords, chromatic tension, and soaring melodies evoke the imagery of Dante’s infernal and celestial realms, making it one of Liszt’s most evocative and virtuosic compositions for solo piano.

After the intermission, Zhao turns to Frédéric Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21, performed here in a chamber or reduced orchestral setting. Composed when Chopin was just 19, this concerto reveals a remarkable maturity in both style and emotion. The opening Maestoso is bold and noble, showcasing the young composer’s command of large-scale form. The Larghetto that follows is one of Chopin’s most poetic movements—introspective, dreamlike, and full of longing. The final Allegro vivace is infused with the rhythms of the Polish mazurka, concluding the work with a joyful and spirited flair.

Together, these works offer a rich tapestry of expression—from the demonic and the divine to the deeply personal and nationalistic—illuminated by Zhao’s artistry, imagination, and virtuosity.