
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham wins historic gold at prestigious Cliburn competition
The 29-year-old won the gold medal and a cash award of US$100,000 (HK$784,800) on Saturday after defeating five other finalists at the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
His prize also includes three years of individualised career management, a Platoon Records live album, a promotional package covering press kits and website management, as well as performance attire sponsored by US department store chain Neiman Marcus.
As part of the three-year career management programme, Sham will embark on US and international concert tours.
Vitaly Starikov of Israel/Russia won the silver medal, while American pianist Evren Ozel was awarded the bronze.
Sham also received the Carla and Kelly Thompson Audience Award, which came with a cash prize of US$2,500 (HK$19,700).
Sham was among 28 pianists handpicked from a pool of 340 applicants from 45 countries and regions to compete in the 2025 Cliburn competition, which started on May 21 in Fort Worth, Texas.
During the final round, Sham played Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 25 and Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83.
In a backstage interview with the competition organiser released on Sunday, Sham said the Mendelssohn piece he played was 'whimsy' and full of 'dazzling virtuosity' and 'irresistible lightness.' He added he was glad to be the first contestant to play Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 at the Cliburn Competition.
'At the end of the second movement, it's like this overwhelming feeling that no matter what happens in the world, everything will be okay. I feel that so much with Mendelssohn, and I think that really is his music's worth,' he said.
According to his profile on the Cliburn website, Sham learned piano at the age of three from his mother. He began competing and playing in concerts when he was 10 years old.
He graduated from Harvard University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts and earned a master's degree in piano performance at the New England Conservatory of Music under pianist Victor Rosenbaum in 2020.
He went on to study at the Ingesund School of Music in Sweden before going back to the US to acquire an artist diploma at The Juilliard School.
Sham has played in concerts in Asia, Europe, and the US, including with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also performed for British royalty and former Chinese leader Hu Jintao.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


HKFP
6 hours ago
- HKFP
HKFP Lens: Anime fans, cosplayers converge at Ani-com & Games Hong Kong 2025
Anime and comic fans, gaming enthusiasts, and cosplayers are flocking to the 26th edition of Ani-com & Games Hong Kong (ACGHK) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), which runs until Tuesday. Dozens of people lined up outside the halls from early morning on Friday, hours before the doors opened at 10am. On the other side of the hall doors, photographers and video journalists set up their cameras to capture the moment the first attendee entered the hall. The first person to step through the door this year was from Macau, local media reported. As in previous years, the first attendee spun 360 degrees as he entered the venue, with a group of reporters following him to his first stop at the event. A steady trickle of attendees followed. Some ran across the hall to get a head start in the lines, possibly to secure access to exclusive products. By midday, the crowds became increasingly bigger. The city's Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited the expo on Sunday, taking photos with various cosplayers, according to his Facebook post. First held in 1999, the summer mega event attracts thousands of cosplayers, comic, anime and gaming enthusiasts every year. This year's event featured around 160 exhibitors, up from over 140 in 2024. The venue space for the five-day event expanded this year, with 788 booths exhibiting in halls 1 and 3 of the HKCEC. General admission ticket prices also increased to HK$45, from HK$42 last year. Running concurrently are the Hong Kong International Art Toys Expo, with over 40 renowned art toy designers from around the world exhibiting, as well as the International Comic Masters Gathering (CMG) and the International Comics Exhibition. Many ACGHK attendees on Friday carried large bags of their purchases and took selfies and photos with cosplayers. In 2022, the organiser of the convention introduced new guidelines for cosplayers' attire, calling on female cosplayers to avoid showing their underboob and wearing stockings that revealed 'too much skin,' while male cosplayers were told their bottom costume must be 'larger than briefs.'


RTHK
3 days ago
- RTHK
HK Disneyland donates for child patients' experiences
HK Disneyland donates for child patients' experiences Tuen Mun Hospital pioneered the initiative in early July with immersive Disney murals and a mobile movie theatre. Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland Hong Kong Disneyland has pledged over HK$5 million to support young patients and youth development initiatives across the city. More than half of the proceeds will fund the transformation of certain areas in eight public hospitals, while the remainder supports broader youth development programmes. At Tuen Mun Hospital, a beneficiary, Managing Director Michael Moriarty said on Saturday the multi-phase project would elevate the in-hospital experience for child patients. Tuen Mun Hospital pioneered the initiative in early July with immersive Disney murals and a mobile movie theatre. "This marks a meaningful new chapter in our journey, growing our legacy of care, bringing comfort to young patients and creating moments of joy where they're needed the most," Moriarty said. "I'd like to thank the committed staff here at Tuen Mun Hospital, our passionate volunteers and cast members, and everyone who supports being behind the scenes to make a dream like this come true." "Every small act counts and when you see the smiles on the faces of these children it's worth all the effort that goes into bringing these ideas to life." Hospital Authority Chairman Henry Fan highlighted the initiative's alignment with patient-centred care, stating that the revitalised environments would ease anxiety for young patients and their families during waiting times, enhancing their overall experience. The impact resonated with 12-year-old anemia patient, An Yu, who expressed excitement after seeing the brand-new hospital environment for the first time. "I visited the hospital every few months for follow-up since I was a child. I used to be nervous while waiting. The refurbished waiting area is now totally different. The whole place is so colourful with murals of many Disney characters. It made me so happy and relaxed," she said.


South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
What to do in Hong Kong, July 27 to August 2
Hear this Jyoty Asia Tour London-based DJ Jyoty. Photo: Handout London-based selector and Boiler Room regular Jyoty is set to bring her brand of globally sourced dance music to Soho House Hong Kong on August 2, as her Asia tour rolls into town. She'll be joined by local favourites Arthur Yeti and 0159 as part of a five-hour set, so expect a night of eclectic beats and high-energy vibes, with plenty of interaction between the global DJ scene and Hong Kong's own distinctive sounds. Soho House Hong Kong, 33 Des Voeux Road West, Sheung Wan. Tickets from HK$288, visit Megatix Eat this Mosu Mosu's Hanwoo strip loin with geoduck and mustard-green stems. Photo: courtesy Mosu Changes are afoot at celebrity chef Sung Anh 's Hong Kong restaurant in M+, as the kitchen welcomes sous chef Han Wool Kim to the team, whose résumé includes stints at The French Laundry, in California's Napa Valley , and Mosu Seoul. The tasting menu has also been refreshed with seasonal creations such as butterfish with pine-bud butter, and Hanwoo strip loin with geoduck and mustard-green stems. 3/F, M+ Tower, 38 Museum Drive, West Kowloon Drink this The St Regis Bar The St Regis Bar's Belcher Point cocktail. Photo: courtesy The St. Regis Bar Inspired by the railway board game Ticket to Ride, the St Regis Bar 's latest cocktail menu pits drinkers against each other to be the first to reach their destination either by train or tram, with the 16 cocktails serving as playing cards. Highlights include Ritual Fizz, a twist on the Ramos Gin Fizz, and Belcher Point, featuring local gin, osmanthus vermouth and fennel cordial. 2/F, The St Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai See this Chiikawa Days These limited-edition plushies will be available at the 'Chiikawa Days' exhibition. Photo: Handout