Zimerman to give debut piano recital in Hong Kong
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    Renowned pianist Krystian Zimerman will give his debut recital in Hong Kong in early July.

     Zimerman has performed with many leading musicians, including Kaja Danczowska, Kyung-Wha Chung, Gidon Kremer, and with conductors of great distinction, including Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, Seiji Ozawa, Riccardo Muti, Lorin Maazel, Andr Previn, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Bernard Haitink, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and Sir Simon Rattle.

     In the coming concert, he will perform Mozart'a "Sonata in C, K330", Ravel's "Valses nobles et sentimentales", Gershwin's "3 Preludes" and Chopin's "Mazurkas, Op. 24" as well as "Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58".

     Zimerman comes from a family with rich musical traditions. At the age of seven, he started working with Andrzej Jasinski, a senior lecturer at the music conservatory in Katowice, Poland. The Grand Prix at the Chopin Competition of 1975 paved his way for performances in concert halls worldwide.

     He has been the recipient of several international awards for his lifelong artistic achievements. His alma mater, the Katowice Music Academy, has awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Arts, the second in the institution's history. In 2005, he was awarded the prestigious title of the Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur for his contributions to promoting French music and culture. He also received Japan's Record Academy award for his 2004 Rachmaninov recording with the Boston Symphony under Seiji Ozawa. His 1994 recording of complete Debussy Preludes made it onto the list of Gramophone Magazine﷿s 100 Greatest Recordings of All Time.

     Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Piano Recital by Krystian Zimerman" will be staged at 8pm, on July 2 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $550, $480, $360 and $200 are available from May 22 onwards at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients (limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis).

     For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.

     Zimerman will host a piano masterclass at 2pm, July 4 (Tuesday) at the Recital Hall, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Free admission tickets will be available at the enquiry counter from 9am to 9pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre from May 22 onwards. Limited tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

     There will be a free pre-concert talk hosted by Professor Li Mingqiang (conducted in Putonghua) at 7.30pm, June 26 (Monday) at AC1, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Ends/Friday, May 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:25

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