ArsNova 2025-2026 season finale concert Piano in Motion: Whispers to Wildfire will be on Saturday, May 23 at 7 PM at Newton Presbyterian Church (75 Vernon St Newton Corner). Please reserve your spot for this exciting evening of music.
Pianist Tianhong Yang is celebrated for her profound artistry and commanding stage presence. As a laureate of top prizes in prestigious competitions—including the Liège International Piano Competition and the Antonio Bertolini Competition in Italy—she has captivated audiences at major venues across Europe and America, such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s BBC Hoddinott Hall.
The program opens with Mozart Piano Sonata No. 11 K. 331, a work of charm and imagination, unfolding from its lyrical variations to the sparkling “Turkish March.” In contrast, Rachmaninoff Liebesleid transcription offers a moment of nostalgic lyricism, followed by the dazzling intensity of Liszt Paganini Étude No. 6, a tour de force of technical brilliance and expressive power.
A selection from Grieg Lyric Pieces Op. 12 brings intimacy and poetic simplicity, evoking scenes of Nordic nature and folklore. The program then expands outward in color and rhythm with Danzón No. 2, a vibrant and irresistible celebration of dance and Latin American spirit.
The evening concludes with a special collaboration: Tianhong Yang joins Anran Qian in Night by Fazıl Say, a four-hand work that blends contemporary sonorities with evocative atmosphere, bringing the program to a compelling and memorable close.
Thanks to the Newton Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council, this concert is free and open to all. After the performance, please stay for a complimentary reception with food and drinks. It will be a lovely chance to meet the musicians and spend time together.
Parking is easy, with spaces in front of the building and plenty of street parking nearby.
