Violinist and recording artist Qian Zhou is Head of Strings and Assistant Professor of Violin at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Born in Hangzhou, China, Qian Zhou had her early training at the Shanghai Conservatory. In 1985, after winning first prize in the National Competition of China, she went to the United States where she completed her studies with Berl Senofsky at the Peabody Conservatory.
In 1987, 18-year old Qian Zhou introduced herself to the world of music with a brilliant triumph at the Marguerite Long-Jacques Thibaud Competition in Paris, one of the top four international competitions in the world. She broke all precedent in the competition's 50-year history by winning the First Grand Prize and all the five major prizes. Her victory drew world-wide attention.
Since then, Qian Zhou has been in the first rank of world-class violinists of her generation. She is a frequent recitalist and soloist with orchestras in Europe, United States, Asia and Africa. Past engagements include concerts with the Baltimore Symphony, BBC Symphony, BBC Scottish Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, National Orchestra of Ile de France, Rome Symphony Orchestra, Spanish National Orchestra, Russian Philharmonic, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Osaka Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Central Philharmonic and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of recitals include performances at the Kennedy Centre, Carnegie Hall, Vienna Concert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo.
Qian Zhou's performances have won acclaim from international music critics. A review in the Washington Post drew praise: "She quickly demonstrated that, despite her delicate appearance, she can become a music powerhouse. She met the demands of Weniawski's Polonaise Brillante with precision and steely strength. In Tchaikovsky's Serenade Melancolique she revealed her expressive talents, creating fluid phrases and a delicate, at times almost weeping, vibrato." In Paris, Le Figaro commended her performance: "This is great violin playing, a very great artist." and Le Monde applauded: "A violin dazzles in the Far East."
Qian Zhou has recorded seven CDs with the Naxos and Marco Polo labels. She has also appeared in two documentaries, one of which is Isaac Stern's Oscar-winning From Mao to Mozart.
Qian Zhou's website can be found here.
Updated on 01/06/2009
