Hong Kong hits all the right notes for renowned classical pianist Yuja Wang
City is the 'middle point of everything' says renowned mainland musician
Internationally renowned mainland Chinese pianist Yuja Wang might just want to call Hong Kong home, regardless of its politicised atmosphere.
To Wang, politics play second fiddle to the wealth of assets the city has to offer.
"Hong Kong is a middle point of everything, with amazing food for instance, and I get to speak in both English and Chinese," said bilingual Wang, whose standing as one of the most sought-after pianists in the classical music circuit belies her 27 years.
"I really enjoy the city, especially with such a view," she said, pointing to the harbour. "I might get a Hong Kong passport soon."
Joking aside, moving to the city is in her thoughts, Wang said, on the eve of her artist-in-residence programme with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, which kicks off tonight.
Last year's Occupy movement did not bother her.
"In general, I think in news everything looks more dramatic and it really depends on which shot they want to emphasise. I can see on both sides why that's happening. Someone wants democracy," the Beijing-born artist said. "But, I don't think I should say anything in China," she added with a chuckle.
Wang has performed with the HK Phil before and appreciated the artistic merits of the city's flagship orchestra. That, plus her many rendezvous with its music director, Jaap van Zweden, prompted her to return.
"I feel at home playing with the HK Phil. It's a young orchestra at a high level. Among Asian orchestras, it's the best," said Wang, who made her debut with the Berlin Philharmonic last month. "With a great conductor like Jaap, it doesn't make any difference to be playing here or in Europe."
This will be her first time working with Jaap in Hong Kong, though their previous collaborations have a special place in the piano diva's heart.
"I made my New York Philharmonic debut two years ago with Jaap conducting. Then last year, I was artist-in-residence at the London Symphony Orchestra and it was Jaap again on the podium.
"The works I did on both occasions, Prokofiev Third and Beethoven Third concertos, respectively, were my first ever. The same with the Mozart Ninth and Brahms Second concertos in Hong Kong, which I have never performed before. So it seems Jaap's devirginised me all along," she said with a laugh.
Wang took on a more serious note when she talked about Shenyang -born pianist Lang Lang, her flamboyant classmate at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
"He's extremely talented and dramatic externally. I also am very dramatic but in a cool way. Someone said the way I play is like fire and Lang Lang is like water. I take that as a compliment for the both of us.
"I guess that's the way Lang Lang sees music and the way he wants to communicate."
