Jianing Zhao performs piano recitals and chamber music, known for his clear tone and profound musical insight. He received advanced music education and has studied in both Germany and the UK. Active on stages across Europe and Asia, he has performed in Berlin, Heidelberg, Birmingham, and Hiroshima. His repertoire spans from classical to contemporary works. Zhao is praised for his refined technique, academic depth, and an interpretation that is deeply personal—never imitative, but always thoughtful, sincere, and original.
Zhao was born in 1995 in Xi'an, China. He began his formal piano education at the age of four under Li Lanjia, a prominent pianist with the Xi'an Symphony Orchestra. He later enrolled in the Xi’an Conservatory of Music Middle School, where he studied under Prof. Wang Jinzhe, and subsequently with Prof. Pan Chun, Deputy Director of the Piano Department at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. However, his move to Germany in 2015 marked a pivotal turn in both his musical journey and his life.
Upon arriving in Germany, Zhao first studied with Li Chunsu, a Taiwanese pianist and teacher at the Universität der Künste Berlin. His time in Berlin laid the foundation for his acceptance into the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous training and esteemed faculty. In April 2016, he began his studies under the renowned pianist Prof. Susanne Grützmann. From his fourth semester onward, Zhao was mentored by Prof. Birgitta Wollenweber, the head of the Piano Department, until his graduation in 2020 with a Bachelor's degree.
During his studies at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin, Zhao gained invaluable professional knowledge and skills that shaped his musical development and worldview. The dedicated and rigorous guidance of Prof. Wollenweber had a profound impact on his entire piano career, helping him refine his technical and artistic skills, lay a solid foundation in music, and cultivate his correct and academic taste in music aesthetics. Additionally, Zhao had the opportunity to study and collaborate with esteemed chamber music pianists Prof. Jonathan Aner, Prof. Hinrich Alpers, and Prof. Wayne Foster-Smith, further enriching his artistic experience. He performed at prestigious venues such as the Czech Embassy in Berlin, churches in Heidelberg, and Grunewald, Berlin, earning high praise for his clarity of tone and emotional expressiveness.
In the field of chamber music, Zhao's accomplishments are notable, as he has performed as the closing act every year at the Krönungskutschensaal in Berlin, consistently receiving standing ovations for his performances. In addition to traditional classical repertoire, Zhao actively participated in various experimental projects, performing George Aperghis' experimental music theater, the piano works of avant-garde composers Luciano Berio and Erwin Schulhoff, as well as John Cage's prepared piano pieces. These experiences broadened his musical expression and showcased his versatility in the field of contemporary music.
In 2021, Zhao initially received admission offers from several prestigious German music academies, including the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy under Prof. Christian Pohl and the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main under Prof. Florian Hölscher. He then enrolled in the Hochschule für Musik FRANZ LISZT Weimar, where he began his Master’s studies under Prof. Grigory Gruzman. However, during this time, Zhao received an invitation from Prof. Evgeni Bozhanov, a young pianist and fourth-place winner of the 2010 Chopin Competition. To study under Prof. Bozhanov’s guidance, Zhao decided to withdraw from Weimar and transfer to the Folkwang Universität der Künste Essen. Under Prof. Bozhanov’s mentorship, Zhao learned valuable stage performance techniques and gained extensive experience in refining his sound quality. These experiences further enhanced his understanding of the nuances of live performance.
During his time at Folkwang, Zhao was awarded the Deutsche Musikrat Scholarship, which supported the production of his debut CD. His performances included concert invitations and competitions in Hiroshima, Japan, and he collaborated with distinguished pianist Prof. Thomas Hoppe in chamber music settings. In February 2023, Zhao graduated from his Master’s program, achieving an "Excellent" score of 1.3 for his final concert performance.
In 2024, he continues to refine his artistry by pursuing an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, motivated by a scholarship of up to £8,000 and the guidance of Alasdair Beatson and Pascal Nemirovski.
Zhao's repertoire spans a wide range of musical styles and periods, showcasing his commitment to authentic interpretations and his versatility as a performer. Throughout his studies, every piece he performed reflected his profound learning, accurate understanding, and academically persuasive interpretations.
"An intriguing pianist, his Bach requires no pedal under his fingers. He resembles a young András Schiff," praised renowned pianist Prof. Evgeni Bozhanov.
“Zhao possesses a remarkably clear tone, and his musical personality is authentic and unforgettable; he never imitates others, and he plays as it should sound.”commented Prof. Birgitta Wollenweber, head of the piano department at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin.
“Zhao's playing strikes a fine balance between the intellectual and the emotional, achieving an excellent equilibrium between overall structure and intricate details. He accomplishes this wonderfully. Moreover, he has a relaxed and well-developed technique. His expression is personal yet never forced, and the music unfolds naturally," noted Prof. Christian Pohl, head of the piano department at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Leipzig.
