The second edition of the Z+ International Chamber Music Festival, founded by Chinese-American pianist Zuo Zhang, also known as Zee Zee, will be held in Shanghai from April 11 to 20.

The festival will feature a diverse lineup of top international musicians under the artistic direction of Zee Zee.

Held across two venues – the Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall and the TRI Space – the festival will offer eight performances showcasing the brilliance of chamber music.

Among the highlights, violinist Ray Chen will open the festival on April 11 with performances of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons and Piazzolla's The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, followed by a solo recital on April 18 — featuring works by Bach, Beethoven, Antonio Bazzini and Chick Corea.

The festival will also feature performances by other musicians, including violinist Paul Huang, Benjamin Beilman and Jeffrey Myers. Also playing will be violist Sarah McElravy, cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan, as well as the Calidore String Quartet – a renowned ensemble that has received critical acclaim for their interpretations of Beethoven's complete string quartet cycle.

The quartet will be joined by pianist Zee Zee and cellist Narek Hakhnazaryan for a performance of Dvorak's Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81 and Schubert's String Quintet in C major D. 956.

The festival will also feature performances by other prominent musicians, including Russian-Lithuanian pianist Lukas Geniusas. He'll close the festival on April 20 with a performance of Béla Bartók's Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Sz. 110 together with Zee Zee and percussionists from the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.

The festival will also offer a diverse range of programming. There will be a dedicated performance of American music, including the soundtrack of the film Lincoln and an evening dedicated to the music of French master Maurice Ravel, featuring a performance by violinist Benjamin Beilman and violist Sarah McElravy.

Source: Shanghai Observer