Pianist Zeju Fan will make his London solo recital debut at Smith Square Hall on 26 June 2026, marking a major milestone for one of the most exciting young classical musicians of his generation.
A former student of the Royal Academy of Music, Fan has already built an impressive reputation for performances filled with intensity, intelligence and dramatic control. His Smith Square Hall debut will place him in the spotlight with a demanding programme that moves from Beethoven’s heroic energy to the emotional force of Berg, the rhythmic complexity of Ligeti and the monumental drama of Liszt.
The evening opens with Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata, a bold and exhilarating work that immediately sets the tone for the recital. This will be followed by Berg’s Piano Sonata Op. 1, a deeply expressive piece filled with tension, colour and emotional weight.
After the interval, Fan will perform Ligeti’s Études Nos. 10 and 13, works known for their rhythmic intricacy, technical difficulty and physical demands. These will lead into Liszt’s Sonata in B minor, one of the great landmarks of the piano repertoire. Lasting around thirty minutes, the sonata unfolds in a single continuous span, building in drama before reaching one of the most powerful conclusions in classical music.
Fan studied at the Royal Academy of Music as a full-scholarship student under the tutelage of William Fong. He previously trained at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and The Purcell School, and has performed at notable venues including Horowitz Hall, the China National Opera House and the Royal Over-Seas League.
His competition achievements include 5th prize at the 2018 International Young Pianist Competition in Japan and 2nd prize at the 2016 KAWAI Asia Competition. He is currently preparing for the Scarlatti Piano Competition and the Premio Jaén International Piano Contest.
Fan’s playing is known for its intellectual depth, structural clarity and powerful dramatic momentum. His repertoire spans the classical canon, with a particular focus on Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Liszt. He is especially admired for his Beethoven interpretations, where his command of architecture and energy gives the music striking force and direction. His Rachmaninoff performances are also praised for combining technical precision with lyricism and emotional intensity.
Alongside his solo work, Fan is an active chamber musician, regularly collaborating with violinists, cellists and ensembles. This wider musical experience brings additional colour, sensitivity and expressive range to his solo performances.
Event Details
Date: 26 June 2026
Venue: Smith Square Hall, London SW1P 3HA
Tickets: https://www.sinfoniasmithsq.org.uk/event/zeju-fan-london-solo-recital-debut/