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Renowned Russian pianist, conductor and composer Mikhail Pletnev will host a piano recital in Hong Kong in May. Also founder and artistic director of the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), Pletnev is recognised as one of the finest musicians of our time, whether at the keyboard or on the podium.
Describing one of Pletnev performances, London's The Telegraph commented, "... from Pletnev's fingers and brain come ideas that vitalise the music and make it teem with freshness and wit. (He) made the music positively leap for joy." The Times (UK) described his playing as "born of a prodigious virtuosity of imagination outrageous in its beauty."
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Encore Series: Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev" is one of the programmes of Great Music 2014. The piano recital will be staged at 8pm on May 21 (Wednesday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre featuring selected pieces from Bach's "English Suite", Schubert's "Sonata No. 4 in A Minor, D. 537" and "Sonata No. 13 in A, D. 664" and Scriabin's "24 Preludés, Op. 11".
Often described as a musical genius, Mikhail Pletnev's extraordinary talent became apparent during his childhood. At the age of 13 he entered the Moscow Central School of Music and at 21 he won the Gold Medal and First Prize at the 1978 Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, earning himself worldwide recognition. His decision in 2006 not to play the piano again came as a great shock to the music world. However, he decided to return to the stage as a concert pianist in March 2013. During his career, he has guest-conducted many of the world's great orchestras including the Staatskapelle Dresden and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Recently, Pletnev has conducted the "Queen of Spades" opera in Moscow and in Japan.
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.
Piano recital tickets priced at $620, $480, $360 and $200 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the 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).
A pre-concert talk conducted by the pianist, music educator and critic Chan Siu-fun will be held in Cantonese at 6.45pm on May 21 (Wednesday) at Foyer Reception Area, 4/F, Auditoria Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Free admission to the talk will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Other Great Music 2014 series programmes include "Encore Series: Piano Recital by Evgeny Kissin" (tickets now available) to be held on April 7 and "Czech Philharmonic" to be held on June 3 and 4 (Tickets will be available from March 25).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_476.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/Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:15
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