Exceptional violinists to light up music scene

There isn't much that China's premier violinist Li Chuanyun hasn't achieved, having won countless awards, including first prize at the Fifth Wieniawski International Youth Violin Competition, which he won at the tender age of 11. The talented musician studied under the prestigious gaze of Dorothy DeLay and Kurt Sassmannshaus at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, and was later chosen by leading director Chen Kaige to play the leading violin solo in the filmmaker's box office smash Together.

The artist, whose many accolades have made him an idol to thousands of aspiring violinists the world over, is now about to add another notch to his ever-growing list of accomplishments - a duet with one of his classical music idols, violinist Roby Lakatos.

'I am excited about the coming guest appearance with Lakatos at his concert in Hong Kong,' Li said. 'Lakatos has been an inspiring musician whom I admire. I very much look forward to collaborating with him on stage - a rare and valuable opportunity for any musician.'

The pair will be matched for what is expected to be one of the highlights of Hong Kong's musical calendar this December at the Sha Tin Town Hall. Hungarian-born Lakatos is known as the 'Gypsy Violinist', or the 'Devil's Fiddler', for the passionate way in which he plays, a style that has been likened to attacking his instrument. Since he burst into the scene in 1991, with his debut album 'In Gypsy Style', he has become one of the biggest draws in classical music.

With his flowing locks, cavalier-like moustache and darting eyes, the violinist has brought a flamboyant energy to the often-staid world of classical music, carving his own artistic niche that attracts audiences both young and old.

Descended from Janos Bihari, who was known as the 'King of Gypsy Violinists', the 43-year-old Lakatos made his public debut as first violin in a gypsy band at the age of nine. He developed his playing style under the tutorship of the Bela Bartok Conservatory of Budapest, where he won the first prize for classical violin in 1984.