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Mark your calendar with the Roebling Piano Trio at the NCMF spring recital on Saturday, March 8^th at St Paul’s. Tickets will be available in February.

In high places, I often experience a terrifying pull towards the edge. The French have a name for this (of course they do) - l’appel du vide - which translates to “call of the void.” For a New York Jew, a demographic that routinely makes a hobby of collecting neuroses, this is relatively innocuous and isn’t usually a problem, except when I encounter large bridges in places like Philadelphia or New York on long bicycle rides.

Partly for this reason, I have a special affection for the Brooklyn Bridge. There, the pedestrian path runs down the middle so I can enjoy the journey without fear of hurling myself 130 feet down into the East River. It also helps that it is the most beautiful bridge in the USA (take that, Golden Gate!); what other bridge is built like a gothic cathedral to transportation?

Completed in 1883, it was designed by the great engineer John A. Roebling. Sadly, he was fatally injured during construction when a ferry ran into his foot, which led to amputation of the limb, which then developed into tetanus, killing him a month later. His 32-year-old son, Washington Roebling, also a bridge engineer, signed on to finish the project until he also was seriously injured in a bridge-related accident. His engineer wife, Emily Warren Roebling, then stepped in to manage construction of the bridge, which she survived without mishap.

What does this have to do with NCMF? Well, this spring on March 8^th, we have a recital of the New-York-based, appropriately-named Roebling Piano Trio, a young group out of Juilliard.

It is a lovely program and nice mix of core repertoire from Germany with a brief detour to Argentina. They’ll start with an early Beethoven trio followed by some Piazzola and then a big Brahms that will embrace you like a hug from your favorite uncle who always has food caught in his beard.

The pianist is the up-and-coming Zhu Wang from Hunan in central China, awarded First Prize in the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, just about the most prestigious award a young artist can receive. Zhu’s debut at Carnegie Hall made The New York Times’ “Best of Classical Music 2021” list. I recently took a minute to ask him some questions.

‍Where are you from?
‍
I am originally from China, Hunan Province. I moved to New York City when I was 18 years old!

‍How did you begin the piano?‍

I started my musical journey at the age of five. My grandfather was a self-taught, passionate musician who was my first inspiration when I started learning piano. I remember he always said: “In order to have your music move other people, you first have to make it very beautiful.” I had always remembered that saying from him, and I always see myself connected to the thoughtful and sensitive aspect of music-making and I truly believe in the impact of genuine feelings that are communicated to audiences.  

Desert Island piece of non-classical music?‍

These days I really love Stephen Sanchez singing “Until I Found You.” I am a true romantic at heart.

Dream job if you weren’t a musician?

‍‍A pilot!‍

‍Most exciting concert coming up next season?‍

All the concerts in March on tour with the trio, including the concert in Newburyport, and also a performance of Rachmaninoff’s 3rd piano concerto in New Orleans.

‍What do you do to relax?‍

‍Cook, and watch my favorite YouTubers.

Favorite food?‍

"Doujiao Yutou," which translates to "fish head with pickled chilies," is a popular dish in Hunan Province. It is a steamed fish head served with a spicy sauce made from pickled chili peppers.

‍David Yang, Artistic Director