Latest news with #CliburnCompetition
RTHK
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
RTHK
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 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.
RTHK
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
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.
RTHK
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
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.
Korea Herald
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Lim Yunchan makes BBC awards history with Chopin etudes album
21-year-old pianist set to release live album from 2022 Cliburn Competition Pianist Lim Yunchan swept the three most prestigious categories at the BBC Music Magazine Awards in London -- recording of the year, newcomer of the year and the instrumental award -- all for his debut studio album 'Chopin: Etudes,' released last year under the Decca Classics label, according to the organizer on Thursday. It marked the first time since the award's inception in 2006 that a single album has claimed all three titles. Even more unprecedented: a first-time winner in the newcomer category also taking home recording of the year. Charlotte Smith, editor of BBC Music Magazine, said, "That the artist at the center of these three prestigious awards should just have celebrated his 21st birthday is downright astonishing. But Lim Yunchan is no ordinary artist." "Given that 2024 saw the release of many outstanding albums, I did not expect this outcome at all, and I'm so grateful. I strive always to harmonize what my heart tells me with what my mind dictates,' Lim said, according to the organizer's website. Released in April 2024, Lim's 'Chopin: Etudes' has achieved remarkable success globally, earning the Diapason d'Or in France and the Gramophone Classical Music Award in the piano category, where he was also named young artist of the year. Alongside the awards, Decca announced Thursday the upcoming release of Lim's live album from the final round of the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, where he stunned the world with his interpretation of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The live recording is scheduled for release May 1, and a preview track from the second movement was released Thursday. Lim was just 18 when he became the youngest winner in Van Cliburn history. The final-round performance video has since garnered over 17 million views on YouTube -- the most-watched rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The young pianist's performances continue to generate global attention. His BBC Proms debut in 2024 at London's Royal Albert Hall sold out faster than any other concert of the season. Lim is set to perform Bach's "Goldberg Variations" at Carnegie Hall on Friday.
