Named «one of the emerging Chinese international artists today» by “Gramophone” magazine, and called «an artist of affecting humility and beautiful tone production» by “The Strad” magazine, Dan Zhu is quickly gaining international stature. He made Carnegie Hall debut at the age of 18 performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Since then, Dan Zhu has given concerts in North America, Europe, and in Asia. As a soloist, he has appeared with l’Orchestre National de Belgique, China Philharmonic, l’Orquestre de Cadaques, l’Orchestre National de France, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, and Lutoslawski Philharmonic under the direction of Christoph Eschenbach, Philippe Entremont, Krzysztof Penderecki, Matthias Bamert, Jeffrey Tate. As a chamber musician, he collaborated with such artists as Richard Goode, Nobuko Imai, Michel Lethiec, Dame Felicity Lott, Paul Meyer, Bruno Pasquier, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Pavel Vernikov, Radovan Vlatkovic, performing at Marlboro Festival (Usa), Prades-Casals Fesival, Festival Pontlevoy, Festival de Giverny (France), Kuhmo Festival (Finland), and Spoleto Festival (Italy). Dan Zhu’s performance has been heard through the major medias, Cbc (Canada), Ndr (Germany), Nhk (Japan), Radio Classique (France), France Musique, Rai (Italy).
His recent performing seasons includes solo recitals in Athens (National Concert Hall), New York (Carnegie-Weill hall), Munich (Herkulessaal), Mexico City (Festival de Mexico), Paris (Salle Gaveau), Washington (National Gallery of Arts), Concerto tours of fifteen cities in Germany and in England with the Munich Symphony Orchestra under Philippe Entremont, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Johannesburg Orchestra, Nuremberg Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, concert tours with the Soloists of Prades-Casals Festival in China & Hong Kong, concerto tour with Northern Netherland National Orchestra in Holland and in South Africa. with Vienna Chamber Orchestra at Santo-Domingo Festival, New Year’s concerts with Lang Lang & China Philharmonic in Beijing, and concerto tour with Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra in China with Long Yu. A new record release of Cesaer Franck’s Sonata and Chamber music with pianist Philippe Entremont, by the Swiss label Cascavelle at the end of 2007, which received high remarks from the international press and was awarded four-stars by Le Monde de La Musique.
In 2009/10, season highlights will bring him to concerts in Paris (Théâtre des Champs-Elysées), solo recital at Ravinia Festival in Chicago, Piano Trio tour with Lang Lang in Usa, returning engagements with Nno in Holland (Season Opening Concerts), Festival Schleswig-Holstein with Christoph Eschenbach in Germany.
Mr. Zhu has won several prestigious international competition awards: Laureate at Concours “Reine Elisabeth” in Brussels and Concours Musical International de Montreal, Bronze Medals at the Sendai International Music Competition in Japan and the China International Violin Competition, First Prize at the Waldo Mayo Memorial Competition for Young Gifted Violinists.
Dan Zhu, born in Beijing, made his public debut at the age of nine, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with the China Youth Chamber Orchestra. At twelve he entered the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Four years later Mr. Zhu was awarded full scholarship to study with Lucie Robert at The Mannes College of Music in New York. In 2003, he received the Premier Prix de Violon in The Fontainebleau American Conservatory. His teacher includes Ivry Gitlis, Gerard Poulet, and Aaron Rosand. Dan’s wide repertoire range from Baroque period to today, brought him opportunities to perform together with some of the greatest composers from our time on their solo and chamber works, such as George Benjamin, Gyorgy Kurtag, Gian Carlo Menotti, Krzysztof Penderecki. His interest in other field of arts has led him to a close association with the celebrated French architect group, Arte-Charpentier, they have created a series of manifestations linking music and architecture, in Paris and in Shanghai. Currently, Mr. Zhu is playing on a Carlo Antonio Testore violin of 1763, generously loaned by the Alexis Gregory Foundation.