Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – Xian Zhang leads a solid outing with the NY PHIL, conducting works by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, and Chen Yi

• By drediman
• January 22, 2026
• No Comments

This past weekend, Xian Zhang led the New York Philharmonic in a solid outing that included pieces by Schumann and Tchaikovsky — the concert’s featured soloist was the great veteran pianist Yefim Bronfman in Schumann’s Piano Concerto — as well as a contemporary work by composer Chen Yi. Throughout, the conducting from Zhang, who is a former assistant and associate conductor at the Philharmonic during the early aughts, was energetic and expressive, eliciting a bright, fresh sound from the New York ensemble.

The program opened with Chen Yi’s Landscape Impression, a painterly score — inspired by ancient Chinese pomes — that called to mind the vivid tapestry of colors of Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin. Zhang is no stranger to the piece, having conducted it in 2023 with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (where she is the music director), and it showed in the abundant textures and detail she drew from the work. In Schumann’s Piano Concerto, Zhang’s enthusiasm balanced nicely with Bronfman’s impeccable yet grounded approach.

The evening concluded with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 2. In Zhang’s hands, the relatively heard composition came to life with a joyful dance-like quality. Likely because of the clarity and excitement of her interpretation, the celebratory and upbeat nature of the work — which liberally draws from a trio of Ukrainian folk songs — never came across as forced. Indeed, the playing by the New York forces felt present and alive and was particularly vibrant and infectious during the Allegro vivo finale.

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NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
Classical Music
David Geffen Hall
Approximately 1 hour, 50 minutes (with one intermission)
Closed