His melodies rise above an early adversity

• Flute player from China featured with symphony

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Pianist Tian Jiang was born in China amid a famine and cultural revolution; his family was relegated to third-class citizenry, and "I was often frightened," he recalls of his childhood. But such difficulties fueled his desire to succeed. He makes his Hawai'i debut Saturday. PeterSchaaf.com Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Featuring pianist Tian Jiang and conductor Chen Xieyang 8 p.m. Saturday Blaisdell Concert Hall $35, $50, $65 (877) 750-4400 Notable and quotable — words from Tian Jiang: Health hint: "Good health makes you play better, so watch what you eat." Pacing matters: "Young artists don't know how to give their bodies and arms a rest; I take care of myself, especially my hands." Soaring while scoring: "When I play, I feel like I'm flying, like I have wings." — Wayne Harada

"I had to sit on telephone books and my legs were too short to reach the pedals," said Jiang, now 38, of his early memories. "It's my dream come true to play. Especially after a rough childhood."

Jiang said he was born in China amid a famine and a cultural revolution; his father was an opera singer, his mother a dentist. The family home was raided by the Red Guard; the family was relegated to third-class citizenry, and his parents were condemned as "intellectuals."

Nevertheless, Jiang says he made good on his small-kid-time dream "because my parents supported me." He also had the will to challenge and conquer the odds. He started piano studies at age 5; his performing career was launched by age 7; he was a professional by age 13.

Jiang makes his Hawai'i concert debut with the 80-member Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Saturday at Blaisdell Concert Hall. Among other works, he will perform Tan Dun's award-winning theme from "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," conducted by Chen Xieyang, which the orchestra recorded for the hit movie's soundtrack.

"My father was allowed to have a piano at home, and I fell in love with the instrument," said Jiang. "I remember making finger exercises; I would soak my hand in hot water when I got tired. I think I was 6 or 7 when I dreamed about being a concert pianist, and my father told me that a musician's work is hard, requiring dedication and devotion.

"Then he mentioned a story I would never forget — about Schubert, the composer, and how he was so poor and struggling, that he worked on so many compositions, but no one discovered him until a hundred years after he died. My father said if I have passion for music, don't expect fame; do what you love, and the music I compose will be left for generations, maybe a hundred years later, like Schubert."

Those difficult early years inspired Jiang to strive and succeed, he said. "I was often frightened; my mom came home from work crying every day," said Jiang. "They didn't tell me too much then; they didn't want me to get involved. But there were some very bad signs, and those difficult years only made me stronger. I am quiet and shy, and this situation forced me to express my feelings through music and drawing pictures.

"At school in Shanghai, we were given pressboards once a week, and I was drawing (my feelings) the whole time. I used to get (achievement) ribbons, which gave me the opportunity to represent Chinese children to perform (on piano) for Western visitors; at 8, I joined the Children's Palace, a prestigious place, where I performed for the Westerners. But I had to get those red ribbons to continue to play."

At 15, Jiang said, he was one of the first Chinese artists to be involved in a sister-city cultural exchange program between Shanghai and San Francisco.

"Dianne Feinstein, who was mayor of San Francisco then and now a senator, was responsible for this program. I remember not being able to speak a word of English, before extensive training at a San Francisco conservatory and University of California (Berkeley) summer school."

Jiang had to make an early career decision — to stay in his native Shanghai, where he would have been a big fish, or try his luck in America. As he said: "Things may have been different if I stayed (home); I was selected to be a resident piano soloist with the Central Philharmonic, the top orchestra at the time, and only one soloist was picked; it was a prestigious thing, with many opportunities that would have made me famous nationwide (in China), with government support.

"But I decided to continue my studies at Juilliard School in New York, which means to start from scratch, from zero, to do everything the hard way. I have no regrets; I love performing on the world stage. I have artistic freedom. I stand by my choice."

Jiang said he enjoys the travels that his work requires, but he particularly loves composing. "Composing opens new dimensions to interpretation," he said. "A composer creates drama through a particular technique; you can read the composition and interpret and take the liberty to expand. You must not be afraid (to interpret a composition); you should expand and touch the soul and make the work even better."

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or e-mail wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.

Flute player from China featured with symphony

Tang Jun Qiao makes her U.S. debut this weekend on the dizi, a traditional Chinese bamboo flute, in two performances with the Honolulu Symphony at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. She is principal flutist with the Shanghai Chinese Traditional Orchestra.

The dizi is a traditional Chinese bamboo flute, and Tang will make her U.S. debut in this program, with an East-West synthesis theme.

Samuel Wong will conduct the orchestra; the program will include Stravinsky's "Le chant du rossignol (song of the nightingale)" and Hindemith's "Symphonic Metamorphoses," in addition to the Chinese dizi selections.

Besides her orchestral affiliation, Tang is a visiting teacher at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and also does numerous recordings, with orchestras and as a soloist.

Tickets: $16, $28, $33, $44, and $59, on sale at the Blaisdell box office, TicketMaster locations and at the symphony ticket office.

Information: (877) 750-4400, 792-2000; or www.HonoluluSymphony.com or www.ticketmaster.com.