The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited pianist Aristo Sham and violinist Angela Chan to participate in this year's "Hong Kong Artists" Series. The two young Hong Kong musicians, both recent champions of prestigious international competitions, will join forces for the first time for a duo recital of piano and violin at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on November 3 (Monday). This performance offers audience members a precious opportunity to witness the musicians' remarkable artistry, further deepening the public's appreciation of talented local artists. 

     Sham and Chan will open the recital with Beethoven's "Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2". In the solo segment that follows, Chan will interpret Ysaÿe's "Sonata for Solo Violin in G, Op. 27, No. 5", while Sham will present Mendelssohn's "Fantasie in F-sharp minor, Op. 28, 'Scottish Sonata'". The duo will then reunite on stage for Boulanger's "Nocturne", and conclude the evening with Brahms's "Violin Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108". 

     Sham has become the first Hong Kong pianist to win the gold medal and the audience award at the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition this year. He received his master's degree in Piano Performance from the New England Conservatory of Music, and has collaborated with orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra under Edo de Waart, the English Chamber Orchestra under the late Sir Raymond Leppard, as well as Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne and the Minnesota Orchestra, building a profile in Asia, Europe and the United States (US). His 2025-2026 season as the Cliburn winner includes a major tour of Asia through South Korea and China, and giving recitals in the US. 

     Chan won first prize, and the prize for the best interpretation of the commissioned work, at the Joseph Joachim Violin Competition 2024 in Hanover, Germany, becoming the first winner from Hong Kong in the event's history. She previously won first prize and the best interpretation of concerto prize at the 2017 International Louis Spohr Competition. Chan has collaborated with numerous orchestras such as the NDR Radiophilharmonie, the Staatskapelle Weimar Orchestra of Germany, the China Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hong Kong Symphonia, and was selected as a soloist to a tour the US with the Curtis Chamber Orchestra. She earned her master's degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, and is currently an Artist-in-Residence at the Queen Elizabeth Music Chapel in Belgium. 

     The "Hong Kong Artists" Series: Duo Recital by Aristo Sham (Piano) and Angela Chan (Violin) will be staged at 8pm on November 3 (Monday) at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $280, $360, $440 and $520 will be available from September 12 (Friday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. The "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2025 to be held in November and December also includes the Vocal Recital by Viola Cheung on November 13 and the Guzheng Recital by Grammy Yeung on December 1. For telephone bookings and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1912.html.

     The "Hong Kong Artists" Series of the LCSD aims to provide a platform for local artists to showcase their remarkable talent. In addition to individual performances, it also encourages cross-genre works to highlight their unique styles. This year's series introduces 12 distinguished musicians in seven stunning programmes, featuring violin, piano, cello, guzheng and vocal arts. Among them, a cross-genre performance of music and painting was staged to showcase Hong Kong's unique cultural character, embracing diversity and innovation. For more information, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1823.html.

Ends/Monday, September 8, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:00

NNNN