Xian Zhang | MEMETERIA by Thomas May

February 15, 2026 • 11:23 am 0

Seattle Symphony’s ‘Iris Unveiled’ Offers Rich Immersion in Sonic World

*The Seattle Symphony performs “Iris Unveiled” Feb. 12. (Jonathan Pendleton)*

My Seattle Times review of this week’s Seattle Symphony concerts, marking music director Xian Zhang’s first with the orchestra in 2026:

On Thursday night, for the first time since early October, Seattle Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang returned to the Benaroya Hall podium, this time with a program of striking contrasts. The first half ventured into unfamiliar territory with a contemporary work for which she has been a leading advocate, while the second turned to one of the 20th century’s blockbuster symphonies….
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Filed under: review, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Times, Shostakovich, Xian Zhang

February 7, 2026 • 3:54 pm 0

Seattle Symphony’s ‘Iris Unveiled’ Shows New Music Director’s Vision

Xian Zhang, Seattle Symphony’s new music director, conducts during a Seattle Symphony rehearsal in September. Next up, Zhang will lead the Symphony in “Iris Unveiled” Feb. 12-15. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times, 2025)

For my latest story in The Seattle Times, I spoke with Xian Zhang about this week’s program featuring Iris dévoilé by Qigang Chen:

As her first season at the helm of the Seattle Symphony moves into its second half, what Music Director Xian Zhang is hoping to achieve with the orchestra — and with the local audience — is beginning to crystallize….

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Filed under: Seattle Symphony, Seattle Times, Xian Zhang

March 29, 2025 • 8:11 am Comments Off on Xian Zhang Returns to Seattle Symphony

Xian Zhang Returns to Seattle Symphony

*Xian Zhang, Seattle Symphony music director designate, conducts the Symphony in its “Holst: The Planets” program March 27. (James Holt / Seattle Symphony)*

I reviewed Xian Zhang’s first concert with Seattle Symphony since being named music director designate :

With just a few gestures, Xian Zhang began conjuring a cosmos.

Returning to Benaroya Hall for her first full program since being named Seattle Symphony’s incoming music director, Zhang drew the nearly sold-out concert hall Thursday night into her orbit with her focused, magnetic conducting.

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Filed under: new music, review, Seattle Symphony, Xian Zhang