Two classical pianists will perform at Shenzhen Concert Hall this weekend.

    Brazilian Nelson Freire, one of today’s universally recognized great musicians, will perform Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major,” also known as the “Emperor” and Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” on Friday night, accompanied by Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lin Daye.

    Young Chinese pianist Yuan Jie will perform Chopin’s “24 Preludes, Op. 28,” Haydn’s “Sonata in C Major, Hob.XVI:50,” and Stravinsky’s “Petrushka” on Sunday night.

    The “Emperor” piano concerto is considered grand and almost symphonic in scale compared to similar works. Freire’s performance is surely worth getting excited for. Whether playing the great warhorses of the repertoire or the gentlest miniatures, Freire brings to his performances a level of quiet thoughtfulness that puts him in a class of his own.

    The pianist, 72 now, made his first public appearance at 5 playing Mozart’s “Sonata K. 331.” In 1957, after winning a grant at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition with Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto, he went to Vienna to study with Bruno Seidlhofer. Seven years later he won the Dinu Lipatti Medal in London and first prize at the International Vianna da Motta Competition in Lisbon.

    Freire has appeared at virtually every important musical center over the years. He has also toured extensively with Argerich. They have recorded several albums together, including a live recital from the Salzburg Festival.

    Yuan, born in 1986, is a Chinese pianist trained in the United States. Receiving his doctor’s degree from the Juilliard School in New York, the pianist is called by Professor Dubal of the “Golden Age of Piano” as a “poetic pianist.”

    He took the Gold Medal at the Hong Kong International Open Piano Competition in 2003, the Gold Medal in the Crescendo International Music Competition in 2006, second prize at the Shanghai International Piano Competition in 2007, second prize and four special prizes in the Casagrande International Piano Competition in 2014, among many other awards. He has performed as a soloist with many orchestras including the China Philharmonic, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, Morocco Royal Philharmonic and the Tulsa Symphony.

    Time: 8 p.m., Nov. 11 (Nelson Freire); 13 (Yuan Jie)

    Tickets: 50-380 yuan (Nelson Freire), 180-580 yuan (Yuan Jie)

    Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, intersection of Hongli Road and Yitian Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路和益田路交汇处深圳音乐厅)

    Metro: Line 3 or 4, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D(Debra Li)