Violinist Leia Zhu will be bringing holiday cheers at the New Year’s Day concert with Royal Northern Sinfonia at the Sage Gateshead.
The 15 year old Newcastle born teenager said ‘this is a true homecoming for me. First time I performed in Newcastle City Hall at the age of 4, at that time, with most of the members of Northern Sinfonia sitting behind me and watching me play a solo piece. I haven’t seen them since.'
Leia added 'It is such an emotional feeling for me as my music took me all round the world of more than 20 countries up to date, but returning home turf and performing at hometown is so extra special… I am looking forward to seeing many friendly faces again. I simply can't wait...'
More detail of the concert, click here
Watch Leia first public debut in 2011 at the age of 4
Watch Leia perform with London Symphony Orchestra and Sir Simon Rattle at Trafalgar Square in August 2021
The 14-year-old violinist will begin her residency with a performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto on 9 October, as well as enjoying mentorship opportunities from members of the orchestra 14-year-old violinist Leia Zhu has been named as the London Mozart Players’ new artist in residence. She will kick off her series of solo engagements with the orchestra on 9 October, performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto at Fairfield Halls in Croydon. The performance will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on 12 October. Zhu’s engagements will also include chamber concerts and educational and outreach projects with young players and school music departments, with the orchestra stating they will work closely with Zhu, her family and her teacher Itzhak Rashkovsky to nurture her talent. Zhu will also enjoy tailored mentorship from the LMP’s leaders Ruth Rogers and Simon Blendis. Zhu began playing the violin at the age of four, already enjoying an international solo career before the pandemic, having performed with Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble, Festival Strings Lucerne, National Orchestra of Belgium conducted by Maxim Vengerov, and Russian State Symphony Orchestra - all before reaching her teens. In August 2021, she performed as soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle at the BMW Classics concert in Trafalgar Square.
Read: Violin prodigy Leia Zhu to perform at free BMW Classics concert in Trafalgar Square
Read: When young violinist Leia Zhu met the great Ida Haendel
Read: 12-year-old violinist Leia Zhu plays Kodály with cellist Amit Peled
UPDATE:
And the entire photo album can be viewed here