An international gathering of stars
A superb collection of musicians from all over the world gather this month for the Chopin Society of Hong Kong's The Joy of Music Festival 2011.
But the annual festival has been made even more exciting this time as it coincides with the Hong Kong International Piano Competition, contested every three years by acclaimed young pianists from across the globe. The event runs at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall from October 16 to November 2.
The competition, featuring 28 candidates, all aged under 30, will also be judged by some of the world's leading pianists and musicians, and chaired by renowned pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy.
'This triennial event gathers in Hong Kong an extraordinary group of pianists, teachers and musicians whose primary purpose is not just to judge exceptional young pianists from all over the world, but also to make, together with them, music,' says Andrew Freris, the Chopin Society's chairman.
During the event, the panel will showcase their own immense talents in a series of five concerts in co-operation with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Chamber Orchestra Chamber Group, and entitled 'The Joy of Music Festival Writ Large'.
Among the internationally renowned pianists and musicians performing are Tigran Alikhanov, Peter Frankl, Gary Graffman, Garrick Ohlsson, Cristina Ortiz, Alvaro Pierri and Pascal Roge. 'It is an exceptional treat for Hong Kong music lovers to see so many of these great artists making music together,' Freris says.
'Uniquely, the festival is much more than a competition, but the gathering of an extraordinary group of pianists, teachers and musicians whose primary purpose is not just to judge exceptional young pianists from all over the world but also to make music together with them.'
Unlike familiar piano competitions, Freris says the Hong Kong event 'turns the concept on its head by emphasising first and foremost music-making by all the participants'.
Judges and contestants are participating in high quality solo recitals, chamber music and spectacular piano concertos before the focus turns to choosing winners.
Past winners were Russia's Ilya Rashkkovskiy in 2005, and South Korea's Jinsang Lee in 2008.
'We have promoted both of them in recitals right across the world including Latin America and have recorded CDs for both of them,' Freris says. 'These are pianists of great promise and potential and the society will follow and promote their careers on a continuous basis.'
The annual Chopin Society festival has been made even more exciting.
