Opening Night at the Symphony
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 8 pm
Memorial Hall, 590 Main Street, Melrose
Berlioz - Roman Carnival Overture, Op. 9
Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Kadar Qian, pianoMussorgsky - Pictures at an Exhibition (orchestrated by Ravel)
The Melrose Symphony kicks off its 106th Concert Season with three spectacular works by 19th-century romantic composers Berlioz, Chopin, and Mussorgsky.
Pianist Kadar Qian returns to perform Chopin’s exquisite Piano Concerto No. 2. Kadar first performed with the MSO at age 13. He has given over one hundred performances including his debut with Maestro Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops at the age of 15.
Soloist Sponsored by Eileen Hamblin, Leading Edge Real Estate
About the Soloist
Kadar Derek Qian is a dedicated classical musician and software engineer from Boston, Massachusetts. Beginning piano studies at the age of 4, Kadar showcased his passion for music early, performing with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra at just 11 years old. Since then, he has engaged audiences at venues across the United States and China, including Carnegie Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Harvard’s Sanders Theatre. Notable collaborations include his debut with Maestro Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops at 15, where he performed Prokofiev’s third piano concerto.
Kadar has earned recognition in international competitions, with notable achievements in the Arthur Fraser and MostArts piano competitions. He achieved first prize in the Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, receiving special recognition for his Bach and Chopin performances. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Chopin Foundation of the United States Scholarship for four consecutive years.
His performances have been broadcasted on programs such as NPR’s “From the Top,” WGBH’s “Drive Time Live”, and WHDH’s “Asian Focus”. Kadar’s recorded album, featuring works by Bach, Haydn, Chopin, and Liszt, was released by Naxos Records.
He has participated in prestigious music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, and he has taken part in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Leon Fleisher and Sergei Babayan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kadar put on virtual recitals to raise funds for charitable organizations.
Kadar studied conducting under Maestro Yoichi Udagawa and served as the Assistant Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, as music director and conductor of the Fusion String Ensemble, he blended classical and popular music in free concerts for the Boston community from 2014 to 2018.
Beyond his performances, Kadar serves as a board member of NPR’s “From the Top” radio show, supporting young classical musicians throughout the nation. He has been guided by esteemed piano teachers, including George Barth, Angel Ramón Rivera, Ronald Kmieć, and Bruce Brubaker. He holds a degree from Stanford University, where he earned honors such as the Polk and Butler Music Awards.
As Kadar continues his journey at the intersection of music and technology, he strives to make meaningful and innovative contributions through his artistic pursuits and engineering endeavors.
