Saturday 3rd May 2025 1:45pm – 2:30pm
Melody Zhao, Kairui Guo and Julie Zhang
Melody Zhao:
Haydn Sonata in C major, Hob.XVI:50
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro molto
Liszt Au bord d’une source, from Années de Pèlerinage, 1st year
Hough Valse Enigmatique, No.3
Kairui Guo:
Liszt Prelude, Transcendental Étude No.1 in C major “Preludio”
Chopin Étude Op. 25, No.1
Julie Zhang:
Chopin Polonaise in F# minor, Op. 44
Liszt Concert Étude S.144, No. 2, “La Leggierezza”
Biographies
Melody Zhao
Melody is 13 years old and started playing the piano when she was 6 years old. She is in her third year at Chetham’s School of Music where she is a pupil of Mr. Simon Bottomley. Melody has won prizes in several local music festivals and was a finalist in the EPTA piano competition in Belgium.
Kairui Guo
Kairui was born in China and moved to the UK in 2017. He began learning piano at six with his mother and joined Chetham’s in 2022. He studied with Mrs. Taylor for two years and now learns with Mr. Bottomley. At 16, he continues to grow as a pianist with focus and curiosity.
Julie Zhang
Born in 2008, Julie Zhang started learning piano at the age of 5. At age 6, she achieved ABRSM Grade 5 with distinction. In 2016, she entered Chetham’s School of Music, studying piano under Mr. Simon Bottomley. In 2018, Julie achieved Distinction for the ATCL Diploma. Just one year later in 2019, she achieved a High Distinction for the LTCL diploma, also the Second Prize in Category 2 for the EPTA International Piano Competition. And finally, she achieved the FTCL Diploma. Julie has also won many online competitions. Her repertoire stretches from Baroque to Modern music. Julie particularly enjoys the Romantic Period, especially the sheer beauty of Chopin. Julie also enjoys chamber music and piano concertos.
Next week’s Concert – Laurie Ashworth (soprano) and John Gough (piano)