Helen Cha Hoi-lun, 20, is the winner of the 12th Hong Kong (Asia) Piano Competition. She has played the piano since the age of five and is now studying at the Academy of Performing Arts. Here are her favourite composers.
Robert Schumann
Schumann was rather fortunate compared to other composers. He had a happy marriage and a beautiful life. This is reflected in his compositions. His music is colourful and full of fantasy. You can tell, simply by listening to his music, that he feels life is wonderful. He was good at composing character pieces. One of my favourites is Carnival Op.9. It's a true reflection of his personality.
Ludwig van Beethoven
He went through a lot, and by the end of his life he was deaf. Listening to his piano sonatas you can tell how he felt during the different stages of his life. His early compositions are lively, while those he wrote in middle age are upsetting, because he was suffering from ear problems. His works have great depth. He had something to say in every piece of music he wrote.
Fryderyk Chopin
