Some of Hong Kong's most talented and international award-winning young musicians appear on RTHK Radio 4's Gifted. The CD contains performances of pieces by lesser known composers of the Romantic and Modern periods, as well as some less frequently played pieces by more famous musicians. The CD opens with the vigorous Allegro de Concierto for piano composed by Spanish composer Enrique Granados, confidently performed by 14-year-old Wong Wai-yin. Listeners would be forgiven for mistaking this as a work by Chopin, with its chromatic melody and steady bass line. The Diocesan Boys Choir gives a sombre performance of Danny Boy that will bring a tear to the eye, especially if you are of Irish descent. The tenor and bass voices blend together so well that it's hard to believe you're hearing 60 individuals performing. A surprising inclusion on this CD is a harmonica duet by Mark Chan and Allan Ho. Their performance of Paul Koepke's Arietta is beautiful, conjuring up images of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn floating lazily down the Mississippi River. The clarity of each note and the amazing harmonies make this a standout track. Other highlights include eight-year-old Aristo Sham's performance of American composer Aaron Copland's Scherzo Humoristique: The Cat and Mouse, and an exquisite performance by Colleen Lee of Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante in E Flat. We have 20 copies of Gifted to give away. E-mail your name and home address to yp@scmp.com
