"I Think I'll Play More Chinese Music"

Hamburg-based violinist Cian Neumann studies under private teacher Michael Holm and is currently completing a social year at a primary school. But on June 19, he steps into a very different kind of classroom: sharing the stage with elite Chinese instrumentalists for a program spanning Mahler, Vivaldi, and contemporary Chinese works.In this pre-concert conversation at Laeiszhalle, Cian speaks with genuine admiration about his Chinese colleagues, singling out the concertmaster’s jaw-dropping technique and echoing his conductor’s reaction to a stunning performance of Vivaldi’s Summer. He also weighs in on star baritone Liao Changyong’s German diction, calling it “really fantastic”, high praise from a native speaker.Having had only passing exposure to Chinese music before, Cian emerges from rehearsals converted, and already planning to bring more of it into his repertoire. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit klassikom.substack.com