Liang Wang (oboist)
Liang Wang (born 1980) is an American oboist. In 2006, he joined the New York Philharmonic as the principal oboe, The Alice Tully Chair.[1]
Liang Wang | |
---|---|
Birth name | Wang Liang |
Born | 1980 (age 40–41) |
Genres | Classical Music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Oboe |
About
Wang was born in Qing Dao, China, and studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California.[2] He received his bachelor's degree from Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Richard Woodhams. He was a fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival and the Music Academy of the West.
Upon graduation from Curtis in 2003, Wang was offered a position as principal oboe of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, but turned it down in favor of the same position with the orchestra of the San Francisco Ballet. Shortly after that, he was appointed to the San Francisco Symphony. Two weeks later he won an audition for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where he served as principal oboe. While in that position, he was a finalist in auditions for principal oboe in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra. Wang declined positions with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Houston Grand Opera in order to perform with the Santa Fe Opera as principal oboe. He also won an audition for the Metropolitan Opera's orchestra, electing, instead, to join the New York Philharmonic.
Wang was hired as principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006 by Lorin Maazel.[3] As a concerto soloist, he debuted at the Hong Kong Arts Festival during the orchestra's 2008 tour of Asia[4] and at Carnegie Hall in 2009 [5] as well as numerous appearances at Alice Tully Hall. Notable interpretations of the repertoire include Strauss and Mozart's oboe concertos, Bach's Brandenburg concertos,[6] Christopher Rouse's oboe concerto,[7][8] and Chen Qigang's Extase.[9] Wang was on leave from the New York Philharmonic from Sept 2018 to April 2020.[10][11]
As a chamber musician, Wang has performed at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival,[12] the La Jolla Music Society,[13] the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center,[14] and the Carnegie Hall Stern Auditorium.[15] Wang has recorded with the Poulenc Trio.[16][17]
In addition to his performances, Wang is a faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, where he teaches oboe.[18] He was named an honorary professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Shanghai Conservatory.[19] Wang has offered master classes at the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Cincinnati Conservatory, New York University, The New School, Seoul University, and music conservatories in Singapore, Hanoi, Beijing, and Shanghai.[20]
In 2014, Wang was named “the artist of the year” by the Beijing Music Festival.[21] The award was presented by Deng Xiao Ping's daughter Deng Rong. He was also invited by President Xi to perform with the Orchestre Colonne de France at Versailles to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of French-Chinese diplomatic relations.[22]
References
- "Liang Wang Q&A". New York Philharmonic.
- "Idyllwild Arts Academy". Idyllwild Arts Academy - Where are they now?. Archived from the original on 2016-06-04. Retrieved 2016-06-08.
- Wakin, Daniel. "Pilgrim With an Oboe, Citizen of the World". New York Times.
- Westpahl, Matthew. "New York Philharmonic Reveals Details of 2008 Asia Tour". Playbill.
- "Renowned Qingdao Symphony Orchestra to Join the New York Choral Society for Chinese New Year Concert". 24/7.
- Kozinn, Allan. "A Hefty Sound for Bach and a Piano-Centric Strauss and Szymanowski". New York Times.
- Smith, Steve. "Shifting Gears to Explore the Realm of the Oboe".
- Ramey, Corinne. "Philharmonic's Rouse Writes Musical Workouts for Conductor, Musicians". Wall Street Journal.
- Smith, Steve. "The Lyricism of Chinese New Year".
- "New York Philharmonic Dismisses 2 Players". New York Times.
- "Philharmonic Players Are Reinstated". New York Times.
- Tommasini, Anthony. "Santa Fe Celebration Includes New York". New York Times.
- Varga, George. "SummerFest music director Cho-Liang 'Jimmy' Lin will bow out with poise and panache". San Diego Union Tribune.
- "Liang Wang, Principal Oboe". New York Philharmonic.
- Woolfe, Zachery. "With Bright Eyes and Nimble Fingers, a Young Orchestra Flaunts Its Depth". New York Times.
- "Liang Wang Joins the Poulenc Trio". Poulenc Trio website.
- Glass, John F. "Toot Sweet - National Gallery Concert Review". Drama Urge.
- "Liang Wang - Manhattan School of Music". Manhattan School of Music.
- Wakin, Daniel. "Philharmonic Establishes Partnership With Shanghai". New York Times.
- "Chinese American: Inclusion / Exclusion". New York Historical Society.
- "Principal Oboe Liang Wang Named Artist of the Year by Beijing International Music Festival". New York Philharmonic.
- "Chinese President visit to France: concert of Liang Wang". Loree – Paris. Archived from the original on 2019-02-24. Retrieved 2019-02-24.