By: Elena Mishkin

On April 26, 2025, violinist Hua Zhang stepped onto the stage at the Steinway Gallery Hall in Maryland for a recital that felt both like a homecoming and a refreshing artistic exploration. Teaming up with Chinese-American pianist Abraham Cheng, Zhang delivered a program that spanned centuries and styles — from the brilliance of Mozart to the deep emotion of Brahms and the vivid modernism of Ravel — offering the DMV audience a musical experience rich in color and depth.

The concert was met with widespread acclaim, drawing an enthusiastic and diverse crowd. Attendees responded with standing ovations and heartfelt applause, with several praising the performance as “inspiring” and “deeply musical.” The intimate venue allowed every nuance of Zhang’s playing to shine through, fostering a strong connection between the performers and the audience.

The carefully curated program was designed to be both technically challenging and inviting. That sense of connection was evident throughout the evening. From the crystalline precision of Mozart to the aching lyricism of Brahms and the jazzy flair of Ravel, Zhang guided the audience on a journey that was technically masterful yet emotionally generous.

Among the evening’s highlights was Zhang’s performance of Ravel’s Violin Sonata in G Major, a piece she approached with particular reverence and curiosity. Audience members remarked afterward on Zhang’s expressive range and notable versatility. “She made every note sing,” one concertgoer commented. “It felt like she was telling a story, and we were right there with her.”

Photo Courtesy: Hua Zhang

“For me, Ravel’s sonata is about innovation and breaking boundaries,” Zhang says. She points out that Ravel, after encountering American jazz during his U.S. tour in 1928, brought the energy of blues — a genre often considered ‘street music’ at the time — into the traditionally formal world of classical chamber music. “While composers like Stravinsky and Milhaud had explored jazz elements in orchestral works, Ravel was among the first to bring them into such an intimate setting,” she notes.

Exploring the second movement, which is heavily influenced by blues, became a journey of its own. Her bold, expressive, and fluid interpretation stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable moments. “It was my first time playing music with a jazz influence,” Zhang shares. “Ravel uses classical techniques like syncopation, pizzicato, and glissando, but interpreting them strictly through a classical lens doesn’t fully convey the spirit of the piece.”

To bridge the gap, Zhang immersed herself in the sounds of New Orleans jazz and classic blues. What she discovered was a striking connection between French Impressionist music and American blues.

Photo Courtesy: Hua Zhang

On stage, Zhang imagined herself not just as a violinist but as a member of a jazz ensemble. “The audience’s energy carried me the whole way through. Sometimes I felt like the bass player laying down a groove, sometimes the pianist adding subtle color. But most of the time, I imagined myself as the singer.”

Pianist Abraham Cheng, who partnered with Zhang for the recital, provided a rich and sensitive foundation throughout the evening. A graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance, Cheng’s collaboration added a cohesive dynamism to the program, blending technical brilliance with lyrical warmth.

As the final notes lingered in the air, the mood in the room was one of deep appreciation, not just for an exceptional concert, but for the arrival of a new artistic voice in the DMV classical scene.

Originally from China, Hua Zhang received her early training at premier institutions and is currently pursuing her Artist Diploma in Violin Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. She earned her Master of Music in 2024 and her Bachelor of Music in 2020, both in violin performance, from the same institution. Her rigorous academic background is matched by her onstage artistry — full of color, courage, and connection.

Published by Jeremy S.