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Hong Kong-born pianist Mary Wu will give a recital under the "City Hall Theatre Recital Series" presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department next month.

The recital will take place at 8pm on September 10 (Wednesday) at the Theatre of the Hong Kong City Hall. The programme will feature Beethoven's "Sonata No. 3 in C", Berg's "Sonata", Liszt's "Mephisto Waltz No. 1", Scriabin's "Sonata No. 2", Victor Chan's "Passions Within", Schubert's "Impromptu in F Minor", Chopin's "Nocturne in C-sharp Minor" and "Scherzo No. 4 in E".

The late French pianist Vlado Perlemuter described Wu as "a remarkable pianist who has authority" while the late violinist Yehudi Menuhin praised the "captivating poetical quality to her playing" which he found "particularly moving". Wu has performed in many of the world's major concert halls in the company of international orchestras and chamber musicians.

Her concert travels have taken her to many countries in Europe, North America and Asia. She has also recorded solo and chamber music, as well as works by classical and contemporary composers for the BMG, ASV and Paradisum labels. A founding member of the Bauhinia Piano Trio, Wu has performed chamber music in 60 schools in Hong Kong under the auspices of the Arts Development Council. She is currently an artist-in-residence at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and a faculty member of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts. Her teachers include Betty Drown, Louis Kentner, Kendall-Taylor and Gilbert Kalish.

Tickets priced at $120 and $80 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked through the website, www.urbtix.gov.hk.

End/Wednesday, August 13, 2003

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