Shan Deng solo recital

The recital includes Prokofiev sonata No. 7, the second of his “war sonatas”. Through the examination of Prokofiev’s fragmented thematic materials, use of cluster chords and driving pulse, Shan explored Prokofiev’s struggle with the soviet regime and the way these compositional techniques highlight drama and tension. Shan also studied performance techniques needed to create contrast and tension in the sonata. Shan investigated specifically the different kinds of staccato articulation from different schools, with a focus on the Russian and Chinese practices, creating an innovative new technique combining the two styles. This resulted in a public concert at the prestigious China Conservatory with an audience of 600 and the whole piano faculty.