Organised for the first time by the Chopin Society of Hong Kong, this triennial event has brought to the city some of the biggest names in the classical world. On the jury are Vladimir Ashkenazy (chairman), Pascal Roge, Vladimir Krainev, Gabriel Kwok, Christina Ortiz, Leon Fleisher, Gary Graffman, Li Mingqiang and Eleanor Wong. The London Chamber Orchestra and members of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta will accompany finalists under the baton of Christopher Warren-Green.

The finalists hadn't been announced when we went to print, but the eight semi-finalists (from 23) were: Colleen Lee Ka-ling (Hong Kong), Ilya Rashkovskiy (Russia), Foo Mei Yi (Malaysia), Maria Masycheva (Russia), Olga Andryuschenko (Russia), Andrey Ponochevny (Belarus), Kim Sung-hoon (South Korea) and Shen Wenyu (China).

Rashkovskiy, Ponochevny and Kim have won first prize in competitions held by members of the Federation of International Music Competitions.

However, this isn't a horse race, says Chopin Society chairman Andrew Freris. 'This is a musical event and the essence is to enjoy the music. The fact that some 900 people came to listen to the music at 9am on a Monday [for rounds one and two] is moving. They paid to come and enjoy the music.'

Other than being primarily a music event, what separates this competition from the others - be they international, regional or local - is that it boasts a jury that is 'second to none' and that it has full backing from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (financially and providing the venue). The event is also supported by private sponsors.

Among the works to be performed are piano concertos by Mozart, Rachmaninov, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. First, second and third prize-winners will be announced at 11pm on Saturday.

The winners' gala performance and prize presentation will be on Sunday evening. Jury members Graffman, Krainev, Li, Ortiz and Roge will perform at the closing ceremony the next night.

Thu, Fri, Sat (finals), $200 day pass, $450 for any or all performances during finals; Sun, 7pm, $250; Mon, 7pm, $350