********************************************************

Presented by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, the renowned Polish organist, Marek Kudlicki will give a delightful recital at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall this Friday (January 21) at 8pm.

Marek Kudlicki is one of the few organists who earns his living almost exclusively from appearing in concerts. He tours the world constantly and has performed on every continent achieving great acclaim.

"The piece had a lovely bell-like clarity which Kudlicki exploited to the full", so writes the South China Morning Post on Kudlicki's talents.

Kudlicki was born in Poland. After having finished his studies at the Lyceum of Music in Lublin, he began studying organ and conducting at the Academy of Music in Cracow, and graduated with distinction. His musical career began while he was still a student by giving concerts and recitals in many cities of Poland.

In the summer of 1973, he took part in the masterclass in Belgium conducted by professor Flor Peeters, a noted interpreter of Cesar Franck's organ works. He continued postgraduate studies with renowned organist, Professor Hans Haselbock at the Vienna Academy of Music. He won the first prize and the special prize of the Polish Ministry of Culture and Art in the organ competition in Poland the same year.

Apart from being an adjudicator of many organ competitions, Kudlicki was invited to perform on the largest organ of Asia in the International Festival in Seoul for the 300th anniversary of Bach in 1985. His repertoire is ample encompassing works of all periods. He has recorded extensively for the radio and broadcasting corporations in Europe, the United States and South Africa, as well as for several record companies. Kudlicki has also given lectures at universities in various continents.

In the coming concert, he will play Bach's "Passacaglia in C minor, BWV582"; Clerambault's "Suite du Deuxieme Ton"; Franck's "Choral No.1 in E"; Dubois' "Fantasie Triomphale"; Brahms' Chorale Prelude "O Gott, du frommer Gott"; Sawa's "Ecce lignum crucis"; Nowowiejski's "Polish Fantasy, Op.9" and Surzynski's Improvisations on the Polish Church Hymn "Holy God, Op.38".

Tickets of $120, $80 and $50 are now available at all URBTIX outlets with half price concession for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full time students. Programme enquiries can be made at 2734 2935 and reservations at 2734 9009.

END/Tuesday, January 18, 2000

NNNN