Teen Finds Inspiration in Mozart with Shanghai Phil

A 16-year-old piano student from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music Affiliated Secondary School shared her reflections after attending a concert by conductor Ivor Bolton and pianist Chen Sa with the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra at the Shanghai Concert Hall on Friday.Ji Qin Yaoyao, a first-year high school student, described the performance - marking the 270th anniversary of Mozart - as both “unique” and inspiring. The programme featured operatic overtures, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K.466, and the Symphony No. 36 “Linz.”“The orchestra was highly professional and had its own distinctive character,” Ji said. “There was a strong sense of logic in the music, yet within that structure, they expressed individuality. The whole performance felt very natural and comfortable to listen to.”She highlighted Chen’s interpretation of the concerto, recalling a masterclass she attended with the pianist in 2021. “Her playing is both gentle and strong,” Ji said. “The touch reminded me of a dragonfly’s wings trembling over the surface of water - each note clear, rounded and full.”Ji added that Chen’s performance, along with her stage presence, left a lasting impression, reinforcing her admiration for the pianist as both a musician and mentor.Reflecting on Mozart’s music more broadly, the young pianist said she is drawn to its “spiritual quality” and often chooses Mozart’s concertos, sonatas and variations in her own performances and competitions.“For us as students, whether playing chamber music or solo, we must learn to listen - to others and to ourselves,” she said. “Only then can we create a performance that truly belongs to us.”Ji said the concert deepened her appreciation for Mozart and left her with insights she hopes to carry into her own musical journey.This is a Chinese language programme with Chinese subtitles.Filmed in Shanghai on April 11, 2026. 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