This week the RPO will play host to an up-and-coming classical music superstar. Haochen Zhang, joint gold medalist of the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, will join the orchestra for a performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. Not only was Zhang the 2009 competition's youngest participant, winning the gold medal only four days after his 19th birthday, but it wasn't even the first competition he'd won. He conquered his first international piano competition at age 7, and was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music at 15, and studies with Lang Lang's former teacher. Also featured this week is returning guest conductor Arild Remmereit, who received excellent reviews the first time he conducted the RPO in April. Besides the Tchaikovsky, the program features "Sparkle" by Eastman grad and award-winning composer Shafer Mahony, as well as Prokofiev's optimistic Symphony No. 5.

RPO: Van Cliburn Victory

Thu Nov. 5 & Sat Nov 7

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 60 Gibbs St.