Xiayin Wang talks about music, performing, and Earl Wild's 'Toccata a la Ricky Martin'
By Rick Marianetti, Examiner (08/25/10)
Culture and Events caught up with classical pianist Xiayin Wang while she was passing through San Francisco last week for a performance at the Cowell Theater in Fort Mason Center.
Yang made her debut in 2007 at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, and has since been performing everywhere from Tanglewood to the Smithsonian and throughout Europe and China.
I just listened to your performance of the Bach-Marcello "Concerto in D Minor" from your June recital at the League of American Orchestras' conference in Atlanta. Marcello originally wrote the concerto for oboe, strings and basso continuo, which Bach transcribed for harpsichord. Your performance brought out so much color and feeling beyond the constraints of the harpsichord -- it made me want to personally thank Bartolomeo Cristofori for inventing the piano.
Also on your current tour you’re performing the 3rd movement of Earl Wild’s Sonata, “Toccata a la Ricky Martin.” Love the title. Could you talk a little bit about it?
Wang: The piece is like a rollercoaster ride for pianists! It is lots of fun and an adventure playing it. When I first saw the music, I had said to myself, “Of course, Mr. Wild is writing like a pianist, and he definitely knows what’s tricky for a pianist.” Once the notes are in the fingers, the fun just doesn’t stop. And with the jazzy feeling in the rhythm which is carried throughout the whole piece, I can’t help but dance a little with my upper body -- I found that is really helpful for the technical part as well.
It takes a lot of control to play this movement: First, because of the massive amount of notes; second, the sexy, attractive yet “finger-twister” like rhythm; last is the exciting speed! After mastering all these elements, it becomes such a satisfying and addictive piece of music!
Who is your favorite living composer?
I have to say that it is hard to use the word “favorite” nowadays simply because there are so many choices in front of us. I have had the pleasure and honor playing quite a lot of different types of contemporary music from various living composers, and I benefit each time with different things. Each time I learn something new; each time I discover something I didn’t know about myself before.
On the other hand, a matured and established composer could write something great, yet sometimes something you can’t even believe that was from that composer. All of us are the same, learning each time we go through life experiences; it reflects in their compositions without a doubt, like a mirror of their own lives. I can’t say anyone is my favorite living composer yet because I learn from each one of them every time I live through their compositions.
Do you listen to other types of music other than classical?
I definitely listen to other types of music because I am with classical music all the time! I love Jazz, bossa nova, blues, pop, new age, and good rock! I love music that moves me and inspires me no matter what forms they are in. I love the ‘80s and ‘90s pop. Anything that gives me goose bumps will do!
Is there a particular composition or composer whose music you would like to perform?
So far, I have been enjoying playing various compositions of many composers from the times of Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th century, to contemporary. Constantly learning new pieces is the key of completing oneself as a pianist. As I mentioned before, different composers inspire me in different ways, and music itself has many shapes. I want to play music that educates me, gives me spiritual strength, makes me realize and nurtures me from the inside. Then I am all up for it!
Besides being a concert pianist, you're a doctoral candidate at the Manhattan School of Music. Have you thought about your thesis or recital?
I have already fulfilled all the recital and concerts requirements of the doctoral degree. As for thesis topics, I have been thinking of writing something that is not only about a certain composer; I want to focus more on an angle of how performance-experiences affect a pianist’s growth as a person and a performer. It could be many things that are outside of music, or just being a performing pianist.
Go to Xiayin Wang for more information and concert dates.