Concert Van Houtenkerk

The performance invites you on a journey through the Romantic piano repertoire of Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, celebrating both the lyrical intimacy and virtuosic grandeur of the era.

The first half opens with Chopin’s four impromptus—pieces that balance improvisational freedom with refined structure. Among them, the Fantasy-Impromptu stands out as one of Chopin’s most beloved pieces. Curiously, he never published it during his lifetime, leaving scholars to debate his intentions. This lingering mystery only deepens the allure of a work that moves seamlessly from torrential passion to whispered introspection.

Soprano Danjia Jin then takes the stage, echoing Chopin’s own operatic sensibilities with Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” and his poetic nature with Li Yan’s The Lantern Festival Night, a contemporary composition based on Chinese poetry and bridges Eastern and Western musical traditions with delicate grace.

After intermission, the mood shifts to virtuosic fireworks by Franz Liszt. His Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 is perhaps best known for its animated escapades in Tom & Jerry, but beyond the cartoonish exuberance lies a work of profound contrasts. The haunting slow section (Lassan) unfolds like a gypsy ballad, rich with melancholy and narrative depth, before giving way to the electrifying dancing section (Friska)—a whirlwind of virtuosity and joy.

Granados’ The Maiden and the Nightingale then transports us to Spain, its sighing melodies and birdsong filigree setting the stage for Liszt’s Spanish Rhapsody. Here, flamenco rhythms ignite the keyboard, weaving fiery dances with soulful serenades in a triumphant finale.

Pianist Richard Chang and soprano Danjia Jin invite you to join this tapestry of emotions—from Chopin’s poetic reveries to Liszt’s unbridled passion—in a celebration of music’s power to enchant and exhilarate.