RIO XIANG piano & ALEX BOYLING cello

Rio is one of Australia’s most phenomenal young pianists. In 2024, he placed second in the highly prestigious Australian National Piano Awards. Alex recently graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium, where she led the cello section of the Symphony Orchestra.

Program

J.S. Bach, Suite for Solo Cello No. 6, Prelude & Gavotte

A. Soler Sonatas No. 21 in C# minor and No. 108 in C major

S. Prokofiev Cello Sonata in C major. 119 i. Andante grave ii. Moderato iii.Allegro, ma non troppo

J. Brahms, Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor. Op.38, "Sonate für Klavier und Violoncello"

After opening with solo works from the Baroque, Alex and Rio present Prokofiev's superb cello sonata, a testament to his capacity to compose despite the oppression of the Zhdanov Decree of 1948, this decree rejected Western classical music traditions 'formalism' and placed severe stylistic restrictions on composers, and being found in breach of the decree could lead to death. Many believe the approval for the work was only given because it was to be premiered by pianist Sviatoslav Richter and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Balancing the tension of this work, they present a deeply Romantic work by Brahms not without its own rumblings but as with Prokofiev a capacity to temper them with exquisite melodies and wit.

Rio Xiang has gained praise for his ability to honour the composer's intent with exemplary technique and exceptional musicality while bringing his unique interpretation to life. He has received many prizes in Australia and internationally. Rio is already making a name for himself internationally, a testament to his finesse and sensibility as a pianist. He has performed with the Xiamen Orchestra, Beijing Huanzhou Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Uzbekistan and Queensland Orchestra.

Rio is completing a Bachelor of Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Natalia Ricci. In 2022, he won the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Piano Concerto Competition. He previously studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with Stanislav Loudenitch and also trained in composition with Richard Gill. With recordings for ABC Classic and 2MBS Fine Music Sydney, Rio has written many piano works and has performed at the Aspen Music Festival and International Piano Academy Lake Como.

Alexandra Boyling is from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. In 2024, she completed a Bachelor of Music (Cello Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, studying with Julian Smiles. Her studies were supported by the Chandler Scholarship from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Tassell Performing Arts Tertiary Scholarship through Hunter Valley Grammar School.In 2019, she received her AMusA with Distinction and was nominated for NSW Encore in 2020. In 2020, she was selected as a soloist at the Sydney International Music Festival.

Emerging Concert Artists 2025 SERIES

They are storytellers, and music is their language. Join us on the first Thursday of each month for a memorable musical experience with some of Australia's leading young performers. Visit the Wollongong Art Gallery and discover one of the town's most intimate and beautiful performance spaces. Entry is Free. Donating to artists' fees is appreciated!W

May 8 | THE CHAMELEON | Anna Chung, clarinet & Katherine Shin, piano

June 5 | SHADOWS OF ROMANCE | Benjamine Lam, violin & Dono Ng, piano

July 3 | CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK WITH MUSIC TBA

August 7 | WIND IN THE REEDS | Gahyun Lee, oboe & TBA piano

September 4 | HORIZONS | Sydney Conservatorium String Ensemble.

October 2 | PIANO MUSIC FROM THE HEART | Elsa Li, piano & Sophia Bae, piano

November 6 | TIMELINES | Matthew Zengoski guitar with Nigel Jones guitar

December 4 | JAZZ STORIES | Tom Hains Quartet