Seattle Symphony with Grieg and Xian Zhang

Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers, and his music is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide. Born in Bergen in 1843, he was taught piano by his mother and later studied at the Leipzig Conservatory. His use of traditional Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to international fame and helped develop a national cultural identity. His most celebrated works include the incidental music to Peer Gynt, the Piano Concerto in A Minor, and his ten collections of Lyric Pieces for solo piano.

Xian Zhang, a Chinese-American conductor born in Dandong, China, is renowned for her dynamic classical music interpretations. She serves as Music Director for the New Jersey Symphony and Seattle Symphony. Zhang was the first woman to lead a major Italian symphony orchestra and hold a titled role with a BBC orchestra. Her Grammy-winning album "Letters for the Future" highlights her collaborations. She champions Chinese composers.

The Seattle Symphony, founded in 1903, is an internationally acclaimed classical orchestra based in Seattle. Known for its inventive programming, commitment to new music, and extensive recording history with over 150 albums, the Symphony has garnered five Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and was named Gramophone's 2018 Orchestra of the Year. It is recognized for diverse collaborations and its vital role in the Pacific Northwest cultural scene.