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Young local pianist Nicolette Wong will give a piano recital at the Hong Kong City Hall next month (February) as one of the key attractions of the "Our Music Talents Series" presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The delightful programme includes Mozart's "Sonata in B-flat, K. 333", Schumann's "Kreisleriana, Op. 16", Berg's "Sonata, Op.1", Brahms' "Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 21, No. 1" and Liszt's "Concert Paraphrase on Verdi's Rigoletto".
During a year's break from her performing career due to an injury, Nicolette said she realised how deep her passion for music lay; thus upon recovery, she was taking the immediate opportunity to resume her performances.
Nicolette began her piano studies at the age of 6 and continued at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Katherine Lu. Before the age of 12, she had acquired a succession of prizes at the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival. In 1996, Nicolette left for the UK to study at Wycombe Abbey School under the guidance of Hugh Petter.
Over the years, Nicolette won the Cambridge University-wide Concerto Competition and the Nigel W Brown Music Prize, which led to her appearance as a soloist with the Cambridge University Symphony Orchestra playing Ravel's Concerto in G, and with the Cambridge University Chamber Orchestra performing Chopin's Second Piano Concerto in F minor. Nicolette has worked with celebrated pianists such as Elisso Wirssaladze, Leslie Howard and Barry Douglas, and was invited to play at the "Liszt Day" held jointly by the Liszt Society and the Royal Academy of Music. She received the Mortimer Development Award from the Friends of the Royal Academy of Music.
Nicolette has also given numerous solo recitals around the UK, and has made solo appearances in Poland, Italy, Japan, Greece, Switzerland, and Germany. Future engagements include a concerto with the Orion Symphony Orchestra at Cadogan Hall in London as well as more solo recitals in the UK and in Hong Kong.
Piano Recital by Nicolette Wong will be held at 8pm on February 23 (Monday) at the Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $150 and $100 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.) A 10% discount is available for the combined purchase of standard tickets for two concerts in the "Our Music Talents Series": "Piano Recital by Carol Yu" and "Piano Recital by Nicolette Wong".
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.
Ends/Monday, January 19, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:41
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