February 9, 2006

Double bass master Zhang to perform classic, traditional Chinese compositions Feb. 22

By Judy Moore

Double bassist DaXun Zhang, the School of Music’s newest faculty member, will perform a program of classic and modern compositions at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22, at Lutkin Hall.

His program will include works by Massanet, Beethoven, Bottesini, Sarasate, Saint-Saëns as well as traditional Chinese music.

Zhang, the 2002 winner of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition, also was the first double bassist to win the Young Concert Artists Auditions and is the youngest winner to date of the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition.

In 2004 and 2005, Zhang performed and toured with the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, with an appearance at New York’s Carnegie Hall in September 2004, followed by concerts in Japan and California during summer 2005. Zhang joined Ma and the ensemble in the recording of the soundtrack to a 10-part documentary series on the Silk Road for Japan’s national broadcast channel, NHK.

The soundtrack compact disc has been released on Sony Classical.

Zhang has made solo appearances with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Pacific Symphony of California, and also has played at New York’s 92nd St. Y (a world-renowned community and cultural center), the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Sherwood Auditorium at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, Calif.

During the 2005-06 season, he will perform at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts in Olympia, Wash., and the Embassy Series in Washington, D.C.

Tickets are $8.50 for the general public, $7 for senior citizens, faculty and staff and $4 for students.

To order tickets, or for more information, call the Pick-Staiger ticket office at (847) 491-5441.