On February 28, 2025, violinist Leia Zhu will release her album Violin Concertos & Pieces, a comprehensive collection of all violin concertos by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, on the Berlin Classics label. The young English violinist is accompanied by the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, conducted by Howard Griffiths.
Born in 2006, Leia Zhu has already established herself as a violinist at a young age. Her musical journey began early, as she was appointed Artist-in-Residence with the London Mozart Players at the age of 14. Her impressive career includes performances with leading orchestras worldwide, such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich. She has also made waves at major international festivals, including the Lucerne Festival and the renowned Salzburg Festival.
The new album features Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concertos No. 1 in A major, Op. 20, and No. 2 in C major, Op. 58, as well as the enchanting Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 and the lively Havanaise, Op. 83. These works are outstanding examples of Saint-Saëns’ ability to combine emotional depth with technical brilliance. Leia Zhu brings a fresh perspective to these masterpieces by blending technical virtuosity with profound emotional expression.
Saint-Saëns was well known during his lifetime for his versatility and his ability to excel in various musical genres. The violin concertos are not only technically demanding but also rich in melodic beauty and emotional depth. These works give performers the opportunity to demonstrate their technical brilliance and interpretive sensitivity, and Leia Zhu masters this challenge with remarkable elegance and intensity.
