Oberlin Portrait: Yang Xu

Yang Xu loves the violin. But that was not always the case.

Born in Nanjing, China, Yang started when he was 4 and a half, with his father as his first teacher. None of his family members were musicians, including his father. He explains that even though his father loved the violin, Yang did not share his sentiments at that young age. It wasn’t until he turned 9, when he entered a conservatory and heard many inspiring professionals, that he started to enjoy the instrument.

When I asked him why he decided to come to Oberlin, he answered me with a smile, "I heard that it was one of the best conservatories in the world and that it was in a small quiet setting. This matches my personality very well."

Now 22, this "quiet" environment has been home to Yang for the last four years. He has studied with Almita and Roland Vamos before his current teacher, Kyung-Sun Lee. Aside from his performances in Oberlin, Yang will also perform Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with the Minnesota Sinfonietta in January 2002.

Based upon Yang’s reflections on his love of art and the violin in our Conservatory Portrait Conversation, many more exciting things are bound to come this musician’s way over the course of his career.

A Conservatory Portrait Conversation with Yang Xu:

What inspired you to become a musician? What keeps you inspired on discouraging days?
Hearing great concerts, especially symphonies.

What is the most memorable performance you have ever seen and why? In Shanghai, I heard Itzhak Perlman with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto. Perlman was like a god to me when I was young, and I had many of his recordings. His playing is so alive; I think it's the most "alive" sound out there.

If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be? Jian Wang, a Chinese cellist who is getting some real notice these days. He's one of my favorites, and I think he's probably the best living Chinese musician. I would love to perform the Brahms Double Concerto with him someday.

If you could master another instrument, what would it be?
I wouldn't pick another instrument; I'd choose conducting. I personally don't think I would find an instrument I love as much as the violin. I took a conducting class with Paul Polivnick and that really got me interested. I learned so much from him. He made me love conducting.

If you could not be a musician, what other profession would you choose? A stringed instrument maker. That's still artwork, and I can't imagine not working in art.

What do you listen to for inspiration?
Classical symphonies, quiet or smooth jazz.

What do you like to read?
I don't find time to read much, but when I do, I like classical Chinese novels.

What are three words that describe you?
Quiet, relaxed, and peaceful.