AOZHE ZHANG

Zhang Aozhe, born in Hefei, China in 2008, a Senior 1 student of The Music Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory of Music now. He learnt to play violin under the guidance of Mr. Liu Xinhua at the age of 4. He has been studying under Professor He Xian since the age of 9. At the age of 14, he successfully performed all Paganini 24 Caprices in his personal concert and released an album. He has cooperated with Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra, Kunming Nie Er Symphony Orchestra, etc. and played in Shanghai Spring International Music Festival in 2021 and 2024. He has staged solo concerts at the grand theatre in Ningbo, Fuzhou, Yunnan etc. His performances have won wide praises.

In 2023, he won the Golden Bell Award at The 14th Chinese Golden Bell Award for Music, as the youngest winner. In 2024, he won 1st prize at The 43rd International Violin Competition “Rodolfo Lipizer Prize” as the youngest player, as well as two special prizes for "Best Lipizer Etude" and "Best New Interpretation". In 2025，he won 3rd prize in the Violin Section at The 9th Sendai International Music Competition.

Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize you wanted to become a musician?

At age five, I first heard the Vienna New Year's Concert on television and was profoundly captivated. Back then, I'd only recently begun learning the violin, scraping out unpleasant sounds with my bow. Yet in that moment, I dreamed of one day creating such exquisite music myself.

When you perform, what do you hope to communicate or make the audience feel?
I aspire for audiences to step into the composers' inner worlds through my performances – to see the landscapes they painted with notes, to feel the joy and sorrow woven into their melodies.

If you had to present yourself by playing a single piece from the entire repertoire, which one would you choose, and why?

The Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto would represent me as a violinist, for I resonate deeply with this work. Its emotional depth speaks to my artistic soul, and I cherish every opportunity to perform it.