At the heart of every great performance at The Soraya is a great artist. Some appear on the stage, and some are composers, choreographers, or others who act as inspiration across generations and geography. Please meet some of those creative powerhouses who elevate the 2025-26 Season.
Classical pianist Yuja Wang is celebrated for her extraordinary technical prowess, charismatic stage presence, and daring interpretations. L.A. audiences know her for performances of the complete cycle of Rachmaninoff piano concertos in 2023 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Born in Beijing, Wang began piano lessons at the age of 6 and later trained at the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Her breakthrough came in 2007, at the age of 20, when she substituted for Martha Argerich with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, dazzling audiences with her virtuosity.
Wang tackles some of the most technically demanding pieces in the piano repertoire, including works by Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, and Liszt. Her style combines precision, lyricism, and an effortless command of the keyboard, earning her comparisons to piano legends such as Horowitz and Rubinstein.
Beyond her technique, Wang brings a unique charisma to the stage, making every performance feel fresh and spontaneous. She has a way of making complex compositions feel both accessible and exhilarating, drawing audiences into the emotional core of the music. Wang is also a fashionista, and her dazzling gowns and outfits keep the internet abuzz. She has been called a once-in-a-generation artist who transforms classical music into an electrifying experience.
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Yuja Wang, piano and director
Matthew Truscott, concertmaster and leader
Sat Apr 25 | 8PM
HINDEMITH The Four Temperaments
CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2
Yuja Wang makes a long-anticipated return to The Soraya, following her 2016 debut. Since, she has secured her reputation as one of the most celebrated artists around the world. Consistent with Wang’s recent focus on Frédéric Chopin, she chose the composer’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Wang is joined by her regular partner, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, a pan-European ensemble created to tour globally, having performed in over 40 nations. The orchestra will also perform Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, often called the “Classical Symphony” for Prokofiev’s intent to model his early work after Mozart and Haydn.
2025–26 SEASON JUST ANNOUNCED
The spotlight’s on our boldest season yet! From a reimagined Fiddler on the Roof, to a star-studded Tribute to Quincy Jones, and the electrifying return of Veronica Swift with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra, the stage is set for unforgettable moments.