By A. Castillo
Before most people are even thinking about breakfast, I was on my way to Juilliard at 10 a.m. for a violin recital. At first, the time sounded kind of crazy, but with such a busy schedule I mostly picked it because it fit in with my life, but by the end of the performance, I was glad I did. What started as an early morning trip to hear classical music turned into one of the most memorable live performances I have attended.The performance featured Audrey Ang on violin and Eri Kang on piano. It was a Pre-College recital at Juilliard School, and from the moment Audrey Ang began playing, she had my full attention. Her sound was confident, expressive, and impossible to ignore.
When I tried to learn more about her, I did not find a lot of detailed information, but I did come across a profile from the Great Composers Competition Series. It mentioned that she began studying violin at age five at the Special Music School at Kaufman Music Center with Mr. Viktor Basis, and that she has already performed internationally in places like New York City, Cremona, Prague, and Hong Kong. What stood out to me the most was that she was born in 2009, which makes her only seventeen years old. Knowing that gave me an even greater appreciation for what I had just heard. Her accomplishments and international appearances clearly show someone already serious about her career, and that definitely shaped how I viewed her on stage. Even without knowing much else, it was obvious why she performed at such a high level.
This was my first time attending a performance at Juilliard, and I will be honest, I was a little lost at first. Once I found my way, I had to sign in and head up to the auditorium. The environment felt a little intimidating in the beginning because people did not seem friendly. Still, once I got inside and settled into my seat, that feeling started to fade. The auditorium itself was not huge like a major concert hall, but it also was not too small. It felt intimate, focused, and like the perfect space to really listen. There were around twenty five people there, and I chose to sit near the front so I could take everything in.
One of the most memorable parts of the program for me was Violin Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 by Johann Sebastian Bach, especially the first movement, “Grave.” It is a slow and emotional piece that really shows a violinist’s control and expression. It is not just about playing the right notes, but about how each phrase is shaped and how much feeling can be pulled from a single line of music. Hearing it live made that especially clear to me, and it ended up being my favorite piece of the entire performance.
She also performed works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Niccolò Paganini, and Henryk Wieniawski, and all of the pieces came together to create a strong and impressive program. Still, something about Bach’s piece stayed with me the most. I still catch myself thinking about it even after the concert. Throughout the performance, Audrey Ang made the music feel alive, almost like she was painting a picture with sound. Both performers were clearly highly skilled, and they stayed fully engaged in the music, which made it easy for me to stay focused as a listener too.
The overall setting of the performance was pretty casual, especially compared to what I expected from a place like Juilliard. That was not a bad thing at all. It actually made the experience feel more welcoming and accessible. At the same time, I think I would like to attend a more formal concert in the future just to experience that different kind of atmosphere. The performers did not really speak to the audience, which I did not mind because the music itself communicated everything that needed to be said.
After the concert, I went back and listened to the same Bach piece online, including a recording by Hilary Hahn. It still sounded beautiful, but it honestly felt different compared to hearing it live. In the concert hall, the sound of the violin filled the room and felt much more personal. Listening online was still enjoyable, but it did not have that same connection. Being there in person made me focus more, while listening at home made it easier to get distracted.
Overall, this was such a great experience. At first I had doubts because of how early it was, but I ended up loving every minute of it. What started as a performance I attended out of convenience became something personal and memorable. If I ever had the chance to hear Audrey Ang perform again, I definitely would not pass it up.
Source List
“Why Johann Sebastian Bach Remains a Musical Icon.” The Musical Heritage Society, The MHS Staff, https://themusicalheritagesociety.com/blogs/news/why-johann-sebastian-bach-remains-a-musical-icon.
“Bach Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003.” YouTube, uploaded by
Hilary Hahn , https://youtu.be/FlTcCnbRGn8.
Wikipedia contributors. “Johann Sebastian Bach.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2 Apr. 2026. Web. 4 Apr. 2026
“Audrey Ang.” Great Composers Competition Series, www.gccseries.online/2019/02/audrey-ang.html. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
