Composer Zhang Zhao: a look at the development of modern Chinese piano music
Authors: Zhang Guangqian 
Published: June 2019

Background. The article is devoted to the creative activity of the outstanding Chinese composer, pianist, teacher and public figure Zhang Zhao (born in 1964). The musical heritage of Zhang Zhao covers a wide range of genres and includes symphonic, piano music, instrumental compositions, works for Chinese traditional instruments, vocal, chamber music, ballets, music of cinema and television programs, and music for large social events. Despite his notoriety in China, the United States, Canada and many European countries, Zhang Zhao is little known in Ukraine. Thus, Ukrainian musicians to date have been deprived of the opportunity to get acquainted with his work. Since the music of Zhang Zhao sounds in many countries of the world, it resonates powerfully in a variety of areas, and in particular, research. To date, the work of the composer is actively studied by Chinese musicologists. However, among the publications, small articles devoted to a narrow range of problems predominate. Large-scale studies devoted to any area of his music have not yet been created. One of the most important topics relating to the composer’s work is the study of his views on musical art. Zhang Zhao’s vision of the further development of Chinese piano art reveals the composer’s worldview, his creative credo. This question is decisive for studying the composer’s musical heritage, defining his genre-style priorities. Objectives. The purpose of the article is to reveal the peculiarities of Zhang Zhao’s artistic worldview in order to promote the fullest possible identification of the ideas of the composer, the disclosure of the artistic concepts of his works. Methods of research are based on a set of scientific approaches necessary for the disclosure of its theme. The complex approach, combining the principle of musical-theoretical, musical-historical and performing analysis, is taken as the basis of the methodology. Results. Important for the disclosure of the creative worldview of the composer is the study of his statements on the ways of further development of musical art. His attitude and vision of his role in this process, the Chinese musician has repeatedly stated in an interview with domestic journalists. According to Zhang Zhao, the main issue that should concern modern composers is the place of the musical art of their country in world culture. Zhang Zhao found in the face of the pianist virtuoso his Yundi Li adherent. The collaboration between the composer and the performer began in 2011. Zhang Zhao took part in a large-scale theatrical performance at the Third Congress of BRICS leaders in Sanya. Then Yundi Li performed on the stage of the concert hall of Zhang Zhao’s play “In the most remote place” and “Chinese piano dream”. Zhang Zhao is committed to the concept of inheritance and the promotion of a culture of national music. The Chinese compare Zhang Zhao with the outstanding leader of the Polish people Chopin, who dedicated his life to the transformation in piano music of various genres. Piano works by Zhang Zhao adorned the world culture with the introduction of Chinese national motives into it. The composer introduced listeners to the air melodic lines of original works and filled his works with a complex texture, making them attractive for acquaintance with the rich traditional culture of China. Developing national piano art, Zhang Zhao inscribes the Chinese chapter in the world culture with his inherent passion and love for life. In addition to studying composition, performing and teaching, Zhang Zhao, is active in public activities, being a music professor at the Central University for Nationalities. He pays great attention to the development of the artistic taste of students, shares his own musical ideas and aesthetic principles. The composer made great efforts and energy to create the “Chinese piano dream”. To popularize this work, they, together with Yundi Li and the Shanghai People’s Orchestra conducted nationwide tours, visited Taiwan, and outlined other projects. Despite the fact that Professor Zhang Zhao has a very tight work schedule, he nevertheless finds time to talk with his students about the place of national music and its prospects. In the “Chinese Piano Dream”, the composer sought to reflect the essence of the musical culture of the Chinese nation. He embodied the dreams of the older generation of pianist composers and performers about the perfection of the Chinese piano scene, set a high goal – to show the artistic value of the Chinese piano piece on the world stage, took on the mission to inherit the national culture and pass it on to the next generations. In the works of Zhang Zhao, the interests of the Chinese and global world level intersect. This is due to the amazing richness of the composer’s creative worldview, which is open to everything significant in life and art. On this basis, the composer came to important conclusions about the role of contemporary classical musical art in people’s lives in China and in the world. Conclusions. For more than twenty years, Zhang Zhao is in the creative search for his musical style. He carefully investigated the development of ethnic music, which enabled him to create his piano works, which are distinguished by a unique and mature language.