Baruch Performing Arts Center ends 2024-25 season on a high note with classical accordionist Hanzhi Wang

May 19 program features music by Bach, Piazzolla, original compositions and more

“Wang is a mesmerizing performer, breathing in tandem with her instrument, involving her whole body in her playing in a way that draws an audience in.” – CadenzaNYC

On Monday, May 19 at 7 pm, classical accordionist Hanzhi Wang returns to Baruch Performing Arts Center's stage after her wildly popular performance last season. Her program, which closes out Baruch PAC's 2024-25 concert season, brings summer to the stage with two works by Vivaldi and Piazzolla inspired by that season. She also performs music by Bach and two of her original compositions. Full program details below.

Hanzhi Wang plays the Allemande from Bach's C-minor Partita

A groundbreaking artist, Hanzhi was the first accordionist to win Young Concert Artists International Auditions, the first to be named Musical America’s “New Artist of the Month,” and the first solo accordionist on WQXR Radio’s Young Artists Showcase. She has performed in the U.S. from coast to coast including UC Santa Barbara’s Lively Arts and The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Composers Martin Lohse, James Black, and Sophia Gubaidulina have written and dedicated works to her. Other awards include the Ruth Laredo Prize, and a career development award from YCA, and first price in the 40th Castelfiadardo International Accordion Competition in Italy.

Tickets to Hanzhi Wang's May 19 recital at Baruch Performing Arts Center are $40, available online here. The entrance to Baruch PAC (55 Lexington Ave. New York, NY) is on 25th street between Third and Lexington avenues.

Also coming up at Baruch PAC: jazz is back! Earlier this season, the venue announced the return of the Annual Milt Hinton Memorial Concert series. On May 16, 7:30 pm, trumpeter, vocalist, and composer Jumaane Smith and his quartet perform original music from Smith's acclaimed 2024 album, "Come on Home," along with his soulful arrangements of beloved songs made famous by Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, and more. Tickets available here.

Hanzhi Wang on what makes classical accordion unique:

The main difference between the classical accordion and the regular accordion is the left-hand part. While the regular accordion produces an "Oom-pa-pa" sound, the classical accordion has single tones in the left hand which allows us to perform polyphonic music such as Bach or any great classical composers. The right-hand side has 107 buttons while the left-hand side has 120 buttons, none of which are visible while playing.

Read more in an insider interview here.

The Jumaane Smith concert is part of the Milt Hinton

CALENDAR LISTING

Monday, May 19, 2025 at 7 pm

Baruch Performing Arts Center presents:

Accordionist Hanzhi Wang

Engelman Recital Hall at Baruch Performing Arts Center

55 Lexington Ave., New York, NY

(enter on 25th St. between 3rd and Lexington Aves)

Tickets are $40 available here

PROGRAM

J.S. Bach: Chorale Prelude BWV 639

J.S. Bach: Sheep May Safely Graze BWV 208 J.S. Bach: Chorale from the Cantata BWV 147

Hanzhi Wang: Sunrise Chanting

Hanzhi Wang: Mountain's Song

Saad Haddad: Shifting Sands

Martin Lohse: Menuetto

Martin Lohse: Autumn Rain

Astor Piazzolla: Verano Porteno/Summer

Antonio Vivaldi: Summer (Mvt. 1)

Program subject to change

Baruch Performing Arts Center is at 55 Lexington Avenue (enter on 25th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues, on the south side of the street) in the heart of Manhattan. Praised for its superb acoustics, the Rosalyn and Irwin Engelman Recital Hall has been called "a perfect hall for chamber music" by Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times. This spring Baruch PAC presentations include the PUBLIQuaret & Harlem Quartets; pianist Maxim Lando; toy-piano/electronic Chromic Duo; Heartbeat Opera's annual spring festival in a co-presentation; and classical accordionist Hanzhi Wang.