Jian Wang has long been one of my favorite cellists. From his early Delos recordings to his collaboration with Vladimir Ashkenazy on Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto, and most recently Richard Strauss's Don Quixote, his albums are always a must-listen. I've mostly heard him live in concerto performances, so I was especially excited to attend his chamber music concert at Banlam Grand Theater in Xiamen, where he performed sonatas by Debussy, Grieg, and Franck.
What draws me to Jian Wang's playing is his balance of technical precision and emotional depth. His softest pianissimo can still deeply move the audience. In recent years, he has also spoken about reflecting more on the essence of music-making, seeing it as an inner dialogue rather than just a technical display. For him, true artistry requires both solid technique and sincere expression.
The program featured three major cello sonatas from different musical styles—Debussy's Impressionism, Grieg's Nordic Romanticism, and Franck's late Romanticism. In each, the piano plays an equal role with the cello, often in dynamic interplay. Pianist Yingjia Xue, though lesser known to me before, was a true revelation. A student of Hung-Kuan Chen and trained in Europe, Xue matched Wang's musical expression with flawless technique and rich tonal control. Their musical chemistry was so natural that it was surprising to learn this was only their third time performing together.
Debussy's sonata highlighted the blending of cello and piano timbres, with subtle shifts in texture and mood. Grieg's sonata brought folk-inspired energy and warm Romantic gestures, with tightly coordinated phrasing and strong rhythmic momentum. Franck's sonata, adapted from his violin sonata, gained new depth from the cello's darker voice. Wang's expressive tone and dynamic range, along with Xue's full-bodied piano sound, made this piece especially powerful.
The two encore pieces were by Rachmaninov and Chopin. The Rachmaninoff third movement was rich in emotion and dialogue, while the Chopin featured more prominent piano writing, giving Xue a chance to shine in the lyrical, elegant Chopin style.
This concert was a wonderful showcase of both musicians' artistry. Jian Wang led us into an expressive musical journey, while Yingjia Xue proved to be a sensitive and inspiring chamber partner. I look forward to hearing them again—perhaps in a complete performance of the Rachmaninoff sonata someday.
*This English version is a concise summary of the original Chinese article.*
DEBUSSY Sonata for cello and piano in D minor, L. 144 (135) GRIEG Sonata for cello and piano in A minor, op. 36 FRANCK Sonata for violin and piano in A major (arr. for cello by Jules Delsart), FWV 8 Jian Wang (cello), Yingjia Xue (piano) 27 April, 2025 Banlam Grand Theater, Xiamen
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