Carl Zhang (Canada/Austria)
Guest Artist

During his studies, Carl's extraordinary talent has garnered him top prizes in various esteemed competitions, including the Concours de Musique du Canada, Concours de musique Sorel-Tracy, Concours de musique de Sherbrooke, Concours Clermont-Pépin, and the Concours Gustav Mahler. His excellence in both academics and performance has been recognized through numerous grants and scholarships, including the Bourse d’excellence Denise Angers, Bourse de la Haute école de musique de Genève, and the prestigious Bourse MITACS, which provided him the opportunity to journey to Vienna.

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Among his recent accomplishments, Carl's performances have predominantly centered on collaborations with talented singers. Notably, he delivered a captivating Lied recital featuring contrasting halves, highlighting French songs by Maurice Ravel and German songs by Richard Strauss and Schumann’s ‘Dichterliebe’. His rendition of Schubert's 'Winterreise' in the winter of 2022 earned him widespread acclaim from the discerning Viennese audience. Earlier that year, he had the honor of performing with the Vienna Schubert Society and participating in a Schubertiade organized by the renowned Kammersinger Michael Schade, where he skillfully played on an original Hammerklavier dating back to the year 1826.

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Born in China and immigrating to Canada at a young age, Carl Zhang's musical journey began when he first laid hands on the piano, commencing regular lessons at the age of 11. From that moment, his passion for music ignited, setting him on a path of dedication and artistic pursuit. After years of arduous practice and honing his skills, Carl's exceptional talent garnered recognition and opportunities. In 2015, he achieved a significant milestone by obtaining his Master's degree in piano performance at the prestigious University of Montreal, guided by the esteemed professors Jimmy Brière and Maneli Pirzadeh. Seeking to further enrich his musical education, he then ventured to Geneva to study under the late professor Dominique Weber, earning yet another Master's degree in piano performance.

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Yet, Carl's thirst for knowledge and artistic growth remained insatiable. In 2018, he was accepted into the PhD program at the University of Montreal, with a dedicated focus on exploring the music of the revered Viennese composer, Franz Schubert. Driven by a profound desire to understand and delve into Schubert's compositional style, aesthetics, and artistic essence, Carl embarked on this scholarly journey.

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However, the world had unexpected plans in store. During an exchange year at the University of Performing Arts in Vienna, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted Carl's plans to return to Canada. Faced with uncertainties and unable to return home, he made a courageous decision to stay in the vibrant Austrian capital, Vienna. Undeterred by the circumstances, he embraced the city's rich musical heritage and pursued yet another degree in Vocal Accompaniment. Carl recognized that through Schubert's songs, one could glean profound insights into the composer's musical language, emotive expressions, and artistic sensibilities.

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Since then, Vienna has become the artistic hub of Carl Zhang's life. Immersed in the city's musical tapestry, he has engaged in a diverse array of artistic endeavors. Performing in concerts, collaborating with various singers, teaching, coaching aspiring vocalists, and accompanying instrumentalists have become integral facets of his multifaceted career.