A performance comprising piano classics and contemporary marimba works under the title "Our Music Talents Series: Elise Liu and Benjamin Liu Marimba and Piano Recital" will be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in June.

     The programme will include Wagner's Overture from "Tannhauser"; Bach's Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor; Scarlatti's Sonata in C, K 159, Sonata in D Minor, K 9 and Sonata in F Minor, K 519; Schwantner's Velocities; Burritt's Caritas and Out of the Blue; Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 in B Flat, Op 83; and Gerassimez's Piazonore.

     Benjamin Liu graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and has studied with various acclaimed piano teachers including Li Ming Qiang, Eleanor Wong and Amelia Chan. After obtaining his Bachelor of Music at the HKAPA he furthered his studies in the United States with Natalya Antonova at the Eastman School of Music (Eastman) and obtained his Master of Music in Piano Performance and Literature in 2015. Liu is now in his final year of doctoral study at the Eastman. He has received many awards, including first prize in the Schumann International Youth Competition, third prize (piano category) in the Young Musician of the Year 2010 competition and first prizes in Hong Kong Schools Music Festival competitions, as well as the Parsons Music Scholarship and the Tom Lee Music Scholarship. He has also performed at major international music festivals such as the Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, and is a widely sought after concert collaborator and accompanist.

     Elise Liu is studying percussion performance at the Eastman School of Music under the guidance of globally acclaimed percussionist and composer Professor Michael Burritt. Liu has won several awards and a grant, including the Dean's Performance Award and scholarships offered by the Bernard van Zuiden Music Fund and Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme. She has also won top prizes in numerous local and overseas competitions including the Young International Musician of the Year at the 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales, the United Kingdom; the Parsons Scholarship for Wind Brass and Percussion Instruments in 2016; Student of the Year Award for Performing Artist (South China Morning Post and Hong Kong Jockey Club); the 2015 Young Music Makers of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) award, and the Italy Percussion Festival (Marimba Class A award) in 2013. Last year, Liu was invited by RTHK Radio 4 to take part in the Christmas Concert in the Park, performing as a marimba soloist along with the Hong Kong Chamber Wind Philharmonia.

     "Our Music Talents Series: Elise Liu and Benjamin Liu Marimba and Piano Recital" will be staged at 8pm on June 27 (Wednesday) at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $120 and $160 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_526.html.

     The LCSD is presenting the Our Music Talents Series to nurture and support local emerging artists and groups and provide them with performing opportunities, enabling them to develop and showcase their achievements.

Ends/Friday, March 23, 2018
Issued at HKT 11:00

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