At just 17 years old, Nathaniel Zhang has accomplished what many pianists strive for throughout their careers. Currently studying at the renowned Curtis Institute of Music in Center City, Zhang has mastered some of Chopin’s most complex compositions. He will showcase his extraordinary talent in an all-Chopin concert on March 23 at Settlement Music School in Germantown.
Zhang’s achievements defy his age. A native of Folsom, California, he performed at Carnegie Hall at 8 and gave his first solo recital at 10. His orchestral debut took place with the Florence Conservatory Orchestra in Italy. In 2023, he was named a National Young Arts Finalist and earned a medal at the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. As the grand prize winner of the Young Artists competition, he performed with the Seattle Symphony and Auburn Symphony during the 2022-23 season. He was also featured on ABC’s World News Tonight with David Muir.
The March 23 event is sponsored by the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia. Co-chair Paul Krzywicki, a Wyndmoor resident and retired Philadelphia Orchestra tuba player, first heard Zhang perform at the Miami Chopin Piano Competition, where he won the prize for Best Concerto.
Despite an impressive list of accolades, Zhang remains humble.
“I have been blessed to have been surrounded by great people throughout my life,” Zhang said. “Obviously, my parents have instilled many important qualities in me, such as discipline, hard work, and perseverance. I am also blessed to have had many great teachers, but the one who has had the greatest impact on my artistry is Sasha Starcevich, whom I studied with since I was 10. He showed me how beautiful music can be.”
Interestingly, neither of Zhang’s parents, both born and raised in Shanghai, China, are musicians. With backgrounds in electrical engineering, his father works as a software engineer, while his mother has been employed by the state of California. His 16-year-old brother, Caleb, plays both the cello and piano.
As Zhang prepares to take the stage in Germantown, he will perform the music of a composer who may be his favorite.
Frederic Chopin, the Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era, is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers for piano. Known for his expressive depth and innovative harmonies, his work remains a cornerstone of the classical piano repertoire.
“Much of what I love about Chopin is his beautiful melodies and unique melancholy,” Zhang said. “However, given the amount of repertoire I’ve played by him, I’ve gained even more admiration for his music. I admire the amount of creativity and expression Chopin created within a classical structure and the variety in his compositional style. He revolutionized piano technique.”
The National Chopin Piano Competition played a key role in deepening Zhang’s appreciation for the composer. In January, he won third prize in the competition’s 11th edition. However, his passion for Chopin was first ignited after watching pianist Yundi Li perform. Competing in the event had been a long-time dream for Zhang. “The experience of preparing and performing all this Chopin repertoire was surreal,” he said.
Performing as a soloist with major symphony orchestras, Zhang has had to navigate the challenges that come with playing alongside so many musicians.
“Being a soloist with an orchestra is a lot of fun!” Zhang said. “There is obviously some intrinsic pressure when playing with so many other people, so I have to adjust how I play. I have to make sure my sound projects more, and I have to adjust my timing to make sure the orchestra can follow me.”
Zhang has also developed an appreciation for Philadelphia.
“One of our orientation leaders at Curtis remarked that Philadelphia is a ‘human-sized New York,’ and I think that’s fitting,” Zhang said. “It doesn’t lack for things to do, yet it’s filled with history and has an intimate feel. I love big cities, so Philadelphia is the ideal place for me now.”
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