HK's Aristo Sham wins top international piano contest
HK's Aristo Sham wins top international piano contest
Sham plays at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website
Local pianist Aristo Sham has won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a classical music contest held every four years in the United States.
Sham was one of 28 top competitors invited to play in person in Fort Worth, although 340 pianists from 45 countries and regions took part.
In addition to winning US$100,000 in prize money, the 29-year-old will also get artistic and publicity support from the organisers for three years, along with career management.
His mother, who teaches the piano, told RTHK that Sham had enjoyed the process despite the difficulties.
Born in Hong Kong, Sham started playing the piano at the age of three.
He studied at Harrow School in London and graduated from Harvard University before completing a master's degree in music at the New England Conservatory.
Sham has won numerous international competitions. He has also performed for former President Hu Jintao, King Charles of the United Kingdom, and Belgium's Queen Mathilde.
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RTHK
3 hours ago
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Van Cliburn win still feels 'surreal' to Aristo Sham
Van Cliburn win still feels 'surreal' to Aristo Sham Aristo Sham said people of talent can come up with a work of art once they manage to get through their personal challenges. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham says winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States was a "surreal" experience that will take time for him to process what the victory truly means to him. On Saturday, Sham became the first local pianist to win the top classical music contest, which is held once every four years. Speaking to RTHK, Sham said he's very happy to have represented the SAR in taking home the prize on this important stage. He thanked his family, friends and teachers for their support and grooming when he grew up in Hong Kong, before he moved to London and the United States for his studies. The 29-year-old pianist said winning the competition gets him more opportunities to perform. However, he said, it gets more difficult from here, as he has to become what he called "a genuine artist" through his performances. Sham said he's always enjoyed self-discovery when young to find out what he loves and values the most. He has also been through times when he very much questioned himself. "It was a rather difficult time for us musicians during the pandemic," Sham said. "For a year I didn't really play the piano – there wasn't much of a chance to perform. "I had plenty of doubts four, five years ago. "I think for artists, we all go through different bottlenecks and challenges during our careers. "But once you get through them, you can make the best works of art." Sham started playing the piano at the age of three and was perceived as a "piano prodigy" from a tender age. He didn't feel pressure because of it, noting that those with talent still need to work hard and gain experience to achieve success. For him, local young musicians should keep loving music and enjoy what it brings to life.
RTHK
3 hours ago
- RTHK
Van Cliburn win still feels 'surreal' to Aristo Sham
Van Cliburn win still feels 'surreal' to Aristo Sham Aristo Sham said people of talent can come up with a work of art once they manage to get through their personal challenges. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham says winning the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States was a "surreal" experience that will take time for him to process what the victory truly means to him. On Saturday, Sham became the first local pianist to win the top classical music contest, which is held once every four years. Speaking to RTHK, Sham said he's very happy to have represented the SAR in taking home the prize on this important stage. He thanked his family, friends and teachers for their support and grooming when he grew up in Hong Kong, before he moved to London and the United States for his studies. The 29-year-old pianist said winning the competition gets him more opportunities to perform. However, he said, it gets more difficult from here, as he has to become what he called "a genuine artist" through his performances. Sham said he's always enjoyed self-discovery when young to find out what he loves and values the most. He has also been through times when he very much questioned himself. "It was a rather difficult time for us musicians during the pandemic," Sham said. "For a year I didn't really play the piano – there wasn't much of a chance to perform. "I had plenty of doubts four, five years ago. "I think for artists, we all go through different bottlenecks and challenges during our careers. "But once you get through them, you can make the best works of art." Sham started playing the piano at the age of three and was perceived as a "piano prodigy" from a tender age. He didn't feel pressure because of it, noting that those with talent still need to work hard and gain experience to achieve success. For him, local young musicians should keep loving music and enjoy what it brings to life.
South China Morning Post
a day ago
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Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham wins prestigious Van Cliburn international competition
Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham Ching-tao has won the 2025 edition of the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, putting him on track for global stardom. Sham, 29, is the first pianist from Hong Kong to win the competition, held in Fort Worth in the US state of Texas. The announcement on June 7 of his victory followed two-and-a-half weeks of intense anticipation as music lovers around the world followed live streams of the contest's four gruelling rounds, which began on May 21 with 28 competitors from 15 countries. After Sham's name was read out by jury chairman Paul Lewis to loud cheers in the packed Bass Performance Hall, the winner stepped onto the stage wearing a bow tie and a huge smile to receive his gold medal and trophy. Aristo Sham, of Hong Kong (right), the overall winner, bronze medal winner Evren Ozel, of the United States (left), and Vitaly Starikov, of Israel and Russia, who came second, during the awards ceremony of the 17th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, US. Photo: Brandon Wade The silver medal went to Vitaly Starikov of Israel and Russia, and the bronze to Evren Ozel of the United States. Sham started on the piano at the age of three with his piano teacher mother at home in Hong Kong and began competing internationally at the age of 10 while attending the Diocesan Boys' School and studying under Shirley Ip and Professor Eleanor Wong at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
