Legendary cellist Mischa Maisky will take the stage together with his daughter, pianist Lily Maisky, at Hong Kong City Hall on November 22 (Saturday) as the finale of Great Music 2025, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). This year also marks the 20th anniversary of their first performance as a duo. This recital offers music fans an opportunity to witness the profound musical synergy that has been built between them, united by artistry. This programme is also part of the third Asia+ Festival. 

     The recital will open with Beethoven's Seven Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen" from the opera "Die Zauberflöte" by Mozart, which is one of the works that the duo played in their first concert 20 years ago, followed by Shostakovich's "Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op. 40". The second half of the recital showcases music in German Romanticism. It features music from Brahms' lieder, namely "Liebestreu, Op. 3, No. 1", "Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer, Op. 105, No. 2" and "Lerchengesang, Op. 70, No. 2". The duo will also perform works from the much-loved song cycles by Schumann, including four selected pieces from "Dichterliebe" (namely "Im wunderschönen Monat Mai", "Ich will meine Seele tauchen", "Hör' ich das Liedchen klingen" and "Am leuchtenden Sommermorgen"), and "Widmung", the opening piece of "Myrthen" (arranged by Mischa Maisky). Schumann's "Romance for Oboe and Piano, Op. 94, No. 1" (arranged by Walter Despalj) and "Fantasiestücke, Op. 73" will also be performed, showcasing the beauty of classical music to audiences with Romantic masterpieces. 

     Mischa Maisky has the distinction of being the only cellist in the world to have studied with both Mstislav Rostropovich and Gregor Piatigorsky. He has collaborated with numerous internationally renowned conductors, musicians and orchestras. His recordings have earned worldwide critical acclaim by winning awards including the Record Academy Prize in Tokyo, the Echo Deutscher Schallplattenpreis in Germany, the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d'Or of the Year in France, as well as receiving several Grammy nominations. Mischa was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Istanbul Music Festival in 2018. A year later, he was awarded an Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music, an honour that is limited to 300 living persons at a time, recognising him alongside maestros such as Mendelssohn, Liszt, Stravinsky and Casals.

     Lily Maisky began playing the piano at the age of 4 with Lyl Tiempo, and has received musical advice from various renowned artists including Martha Argerich, Dmitri Bashkirov and Vitalij Margulis. Concert appearances have taken her throughout Europe, and she regularly tours Asia, North and South America. She has been invited to many of the great music festivals, and has performed concertos under the batons of internationally acclaimed conductors. Lily has formed a regular piano and cello duo with her father Mischa since 2005. The duo has released "Adagietto" and "Twentieth Century Classics" to critical acclaim.

     "Duo Recital by Mischa Maisky (Cello) and Lily Maisky (Piano)" will be staged at 8pm on November 22 (Saturday) at the Concert Hall of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $280, $480, $680 and $880 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. Discount schemes are available for the programmes under the third Asia+ Festival and the Great Music 2025. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1861.html.

     A pre-concert talk entitled "Dynamic Interpretations: Mischa Maisky’s Unique Style" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on November 22 at the Committee Room North, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. The speaker will be music practitioner Albert Ho. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The third Asia+ Festival is being held from September to November with an aim to create a sustainable platform for arts and cultural exchanges. Focusing on Asia, the Festival also connects with Belt and Road countries and regions in Europe, Africa and the Americas. This year, artists from more than 30 countries and regions, including 12 new participating countries, will take part in the Festival, featuring over 100 performances and activities. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.asiaplus.gov.hk/2025/en.

     The LCSD's Great Music 2025, running from June to November this year, brings together world-class musicians and a celebrated orchestra for a spectacular lineup of performances, showcasing the city's unique charm as an international centre of arts and culture. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1840.html.

Ends/Thursday, October 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:45

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