On March 3, pianist Fang Yan performed at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with the world-renowned Mariinsky Orchestra under the baton of conductor Valery Gergiev. The performance marked the first appearance by a Chinese pianist in the symphony orchestra's main season since Lang Lang's appearance in 2009. Both Lang and Fang performed the same piece — French composer Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major.
The concert was a full house event, and the audience showered Fang with warm, extended applause. As an encore, he performed Tchaikovsky's Meditation Op 72 No 5 in D Major.
Fang has been inspired by Gergiev since he was young. Reflecting on the opportunity to perform alongside the maestro, he expressed his excitement. "In a moment on stage, I felt a deep connection with the conductor, almost as if our souls were in harmony."
Gergiev was also impressed by Fang, not only praising his performance but also leaving a personal message on his program — "Yan, come back!" — expressing his wish for future collaborations.
Born in Xiamen, Fujian province, in 1997, Fang received his early music education under notable teachers, such as Li Weiming and Wang Xiaoyu, before studying under the renowned pianist Yin Chengzong.
"At home, classical music was always playing, and by the age of 6, I could sing each part of Bach's five fugues," says Fang, who did not come from a musical family, but was influenced by his grandfather and father, who both encouraged him to immerse himself in literature and music.
At the age of 16, he moved to the United States for further music studies at prestigious institutions, including the Colburn School and the New England Conservatory, before completing his master's degree at Juilliard.
Currently, he is studying as the first piano Artist Diploma candidate in almost a decade at the Manhattan School of Music.
Successful performances in Russia led to a five-concert tour in March. In addition to the performance with Gergiev, Fang collaborated with Yuri Medianik, the conductor and music director of the Tyumen Philharmonic Orchestra, in a concert on March 1, featuring Chinese compositions, including The Yellow River Concerto.
Through his career and experiences, Fang has come to understand the importance of connecting with society through art. He started a charity music project during his stay in China between 2019 and 2020.
