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The world-renowned Russian pianists Evgeny Kissin and Mikhail Pletnev will perform in Hong Kong in April and May respectively. The two piano recitals are part of Great Music 2014, a series of concerts presented the Leisure and Cultural Service Department (LCSD).
Renowned Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin will return to Hong Kong in April to launch Great Music 2014. Kissin's musicality, the depth and poetic quality of his interpretations and his extraordinary virtuosity have earned him the admiration he deserves as one of the most gifted classical pianists of his generation. Kissin came to international attention in 1984 when, at just 12 years of age, he performed Chopin's "Piano Concertos 1 and 2" with the Moscow State Philharmonic. Kissin has won many prizes including the Shostakovich Award, one of Russia's highest musical honours, and in 1997 the prestigious Triumph Award for his outstanding contribution to Russian culture, for which he was the youngest ever awardee. He has appeared with many of the world's great conductors, including Abbado, Ashkenazy and Barenboim, as well as many of the world's great orchestras. His piano recital will feature Schubert's "Sonata No. 17 in D" and Scriabin's "Sonata No. 2 in G-sharp Minor" and "Douze Études".
"Encore Series: Piano Recital by Evgeny Kissin"
8pm, April 7 (Monday)
Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets: $720, $580, $450, $360 and $200
A brilliant pianist, conductor and composer, Mikhail Pletnev has enjoyed a long and distinguished international career. Winner of the Moscow International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1978 at the age of 21 he soon became recognised as a pianist of deep intellect and perfect technique, and went on to charm audiences around the world with his talent as a conductor and composer. His decision to stop performing in public following his Beethoven piano concerti recordings in 2006 came as a great shock to the music world. However, he announced his return to the stage in March 2013 and has performed many critically acclaimed concerts since. Pletnev's recordings have earned him international recognition including a Grammy Award (US) and a Gramophone Award (UK). He received the Presidential Prize from President Yeltsin in 1995, and received awards in 2002 and 2007 from President Putin for his contribution to the artistic life of the country. His piano recital will feature selected pieces from Bach's "English Suite", Schubert's "Sonata No. 4 in A Minor" and "Sonata No. 13 in A", and Scriabin's "24 Preludes, Op. 11".
"Encore Series: Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev"
8pm, May 21 (Wednesday)
Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Tickets: $620, $480, $360 and $200
Pre-concert talks conducted by pianist, music educator and critic Chan Siu-fun, are available for the above programmes. For details, please refer to individual programme leaflet.
Tickets will be available from March 4 at URBTIX outlets, on Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). "Great Music" Package Discount: 10% off for each purchase of standard tickets for "Piano Recital by Evgeny Kissin" and "Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev". Please refer to individual programme leaflet for details.
Great Music 2014 also includes "Czech Philharmonic", which will be held on June 3 and 4 at Concert Hall of Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets will be available on March 25 (Tuesday).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/group_44.html . For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Friday, February 28, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:00
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