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DATE: 16 May 2017

A Gala Concert of Chinese Violin Virtuosi – Lin Yao Ji 80^th Anniversary National Tour (Hong Kong)

[16 May 2017, Hong Kong] A Gala Concert of Chinese Violin Virtuosi – Lin Yao Ji 80th Anniversary National Tour (Hong Kong) in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Return of Hong Kong to our motherland and the Establishment of the HKSAR will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, 12^th July 2017 in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall by the Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation.

The year 2017 marks the 80^th anniversary of Professor Lin and many of his stellar violin students, who are now world-famous violin soloists, are gathering together with cellist and pianists from overseas to present these charity concerts in different cities in the mainland China and Hong Kong. The income of ticket sales of concert in Hong Kong will be fully donated into the Lin Yao Ji Music Scholarship, which was established in June 2014, targeting to support talented and deserving young musicians in China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and to make their music dreams come true.

In the night of 12^th July, top violin students of Professor Lin will perform to commemorate the teaching spirits of Professor Lin. Fourteen soloists include Mr. Liang Chai, Ms. Nan Xie, Mr. Yang Liu, Mr. Can Gao, Mr. Xiao Liu, Mr. Xi Chen, Mr. Xiaoyu Yang, Ms. Kitty Cheung, Mr. Andrew Ling, Mr. Yibing Chu, Mr. Mengmeng Huang, Ms. Jennifer Li, our current and past Scholarship Program recipients Ms. Cherry Yuan and Ms. Angela Chan plus the Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra.

This concert tour begins at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing on 19^th May 2017 and will be held at Zhuhai Grand Theatre in Zhuhai on 8^th July 2017, Fujian Grand Theatre in Fujian on 10^th July 2017, and in Hong Kong on 12^th July 2017 (which will be the final destination of the tour).

12 | 7 | 2017 WED, 8PM
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$500 $300 $150
Tickets are now available at URBTIX for ages 6 or above
Programme Enquiries: +852 5168 9040 or www.linyaoji.com

Performers

Liang CHAI

Violinist, conductor, music educator. Graduated from China’s Central Conservatory of Music and Juilliard School in New York. He was trained by renowned violin professor Lin Yaoji and the pre-eminent violin pedagogue, Professor Dorothy DeLay. Travelled across five continents and performed with a number of orchestras including the US-based San Diego Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, the Swedish National Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Philharmonic, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and the China Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2009 he launched the “Wings of Music” project, providing free classical music training to disadvantaged children, with the mission to help them escape the isolation and low self-esteem symptomatic of poverty.

Nan XIE

Violinist, Professor of the Central Conservatory of Music, Head of Violin Research Office, tutor of postgraduate students, Vice-Chairman of the Violin Society of the Chinese Musicians’ Association, Director of Chinese Female Musicians’ Association, adjudicator of CCTV Piano and Violin Competitions. Hailed as “Violin Wizard” and “Violin Witch” both at home and abroad. Winner of the International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poland at the age of 16. Also, awarded the only prize for “Best Performance of Wieniawski's Works”. Teachers include Professor Zhu Xiongzhen, Professor Huang Xiaozhi, Professor Lin Yaoji and Professor Alice Schoenfeld. Awarded most prestigious Artist Diploma from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

Yang LIU 

Violinist and educator based in the United States. Performed with the NHK Orchestra at the age of 10. After the tutelage of Professor Lin, Mr. Liu further studied in the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati and was awarded postgraduate scholarship that no one has received it for past hundred years. Teachers include Professor Kurt Sassmannshaus and Professor Dorothy DeLay. Winner of China’s 5^th National Violin Competition and received award of “Best Performance in Chinese Works” and a prize winner of the 12^th International Tchaikovsky Competition. 

Can GAO

Violinist. Currently both teaching at the College-Conservatory of Music to the University of Cincinnati; and the Central Conservatory of Music. The first graduate with violin and composition double majors in the Central Conservatory of Music. His teachers include the late Professor Lin Yaoji and Professor Kurt Sassmannshaus. The Grand prize winner of 2006 China’s National Violin Competition, second prize and Special Award winner of 2008 Naples “Alberto Curci” International Violin Competition, and prize winner of 2009 Ima Hogg International Young Artist Competition.

Xiao LIU 

As one of the most well-known young violinists in China today, Liu’s teacher was Professor Lin Yaoji and Liu was appointed as a violin professor by Central Conservatory of Music at the age of 24. After winning the first "MIDO" International Violin Competition at the age of 17, Liu furthered his learning in the well-known Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris（CNSMDP）and the Thornton School of Music in the University of Southern California. “Your outstanding performance not only delights and surprises me, but also wins the love of the audience, which I can tell from their thunderous applause!” by the well-known violinist Gidon Kremer. And described as “Mr. Paganini” by well-known violinist Pinchas Zukerman.

Xi CHEN 

Violinist, teaching at the China Central Conservatory of Music and Director of Chinese Musicians' Association. Started to learn violin at the age of 3 and performed on stage since 7, recital at 12 and began to perform with famous orchestras and won many national and international competitions. Became student of Professor Lin Yaoji in 1999 and then enrolled at the Curtis Institute of Music with the first place in 2003 and graduated. Also received Master degree from Yale University and was awarded the most prestigious “Honorary Presidents' Award”. Youngest Top Prize Winner of 12^th Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition in 2002. Winners of several education awards from the Ministry of Culture’s National Violin Competition. A very bright musician with strong individuality" — The Strad

Xiaoyu YANG

Violinist, Concertmaster of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra, Director of Chamber Music Society of Chinese Musicians’ Association. Highly versatile solo, orchestra and ensemble performer. Enrolled in the Middle School affiliated to the Central Conservatory of Music where he studied with Professor Lin Yaoji for 8 years and absorbing violin performance techniques and skills. At the age of 16, won first prize of the 4^th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians. Then participated influential violin competitions such as Johannes Brahms Competition, China International Violin Competition, Queen Elisabeth Competition, George Enescu Competition, Prague Spring International Music Festival and Sendai International Music Competition and received outstanding results. “You may exceed my childhood” by violinist Maxim Vengerov after hearing Yang’s performance. 20^th Violin maestro Ruggiero Ricci also complimented Yang’s performance as “comprehensive techniques, music with strong appeal”.

Kitty CHEUNG

Associate Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and first violinist of Romer String Quartet. Began her early violin training in Hong Kong under the tutelage of the late Professor Lin Yao-ji, the head of violin of the Central Conservatory in Beijing. Studied with Ho Hong-ying, Qiu Xin-yeh and Li Hao-yee. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Charles Castleman and Zvi Zeitlin, and received the Teaching Assistant Prize for Excellence in Teaching, the John Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music, the Performer’s Certificate as well as the Orchestral Studies Diploma.

Andrew LING

A native of Hong Kong, Andrew Ling is currently the principal violist of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Performed solo performances with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to critical acclaim. Assumed the role of concertmaster at the IU Concert Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and the principal violist of the IU Philharmonic Orchestra.

Yibing CHU

Cellist. Currently professor and head of the Research Institute of Cello Music of the Orchestral Instruments Department at the Central Conservatory of Music of China. He is also director of the Chinese Musicians' Association and vice chairman of its Chamber Music Society, artistic director of the Guangxi Symphony Orchestra and principal guest artist of the China National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra. Received his first training in cello from his father at the age of 8. Released his first solo album at 13, and at the age of 17 he entered the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris（CNSMDP） in France, where he trained under Maurice Gendron. He graduated with a summa cum laude, which made him the first Chinese musician to receive this honour. Held the post of principal cellist with the Swiss Basel Symphony Orchestra for 15 years and at the same time was the guest principal cellist of Germany's Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks.

Mengmeng HUANG

Pianist, chamber musician, Director of National Piano Association, Head of Teaching and Research in Piano Art of Orchestral Instruments Department of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM), Associate Professor, tutor of postgraduate students, subject leader, Artistic Director of Collaborative Piano Festival of the CCOM, team leader of official piano accompanists of the 15^th Yehudi Menuhin International Violin Competition, official piano accompanist of Hong Kong International Violin Competition and permanent mentor of residents young teachers of the Central Conservatory of Music. Enrolled in the Piano Department of the CCOM in 1992. Studied in the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris（CNSMDP）for 1 year as visiting scholar from the Chinese Scholarship Council in 2006. Winners of prominent national and international piano competitions, including 7 awards: Best Teacher of the 4^th and 5^th International Tchaikovsky Competition for Young Musicians, the Best Teacher of the Antiquea Marca Firmana International Piano Competition in Italy, Best Teacher of the Hong Kong International Violin Competition for consecutive 4 years. Under the tutelage of Mr. Huang, his students and postgraduate mentees received significant amount of national and international awards.

Jennifer LI

Currently a staff pianist at the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra and Project Executive at the Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation. Performed in many countries such as Australia, England, the United States, South Korea, China and Colombia. Holding Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music (USA) and her Bachelor’s at the Royal Northern College of Music (UK) with first-class honours. Returned to China in 2013 and active as both a performer and an educator. Invited to be the staff pianist at the 2016 Liuzhou International Music Festival and the 2017 Qingyuan International Music Festival.

Cherry YUAN 

Violin Student. In 2007, became a private student of Professor Lin Yaoji. Not only passionate for all forms of classical music, also devoted herself in philanthropy. While in the Bay Area, Ms. Yuan became the president of the “Children In Need Club”, a student music charity club dedicated to helping desperate children from around the world by raising money through the performance of concerts. Winner of the 2015 “Jessica Hung Scholarship of Lin Yao Ji Music Scholarship” and currently currently attending the Juilliard School as an undergraduate student under Mr. Li Lin.

Angela CHAN

Violin student.  Joined the Junior Music Programme of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) at the age of 5 and studied with Professor Michael Ma, the Head of Strings Department. In 2009, studied at the Middle School affiliated to Central Conservatory of Music where she learned violin from Professor Vera Tsu Wei Ling, the renowned violinist and educator. With full scholarship granted, accepted as a student of Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, U.S., in 2013.  Current teachers include Professor Shmuel Ashkenasi and Professor Aaron Rosand. Winner of the 2016 “New World Scholarship for Summer Studies in Music of Lin Yao Ji Music Scholarship Program” and attended Verbier Festival. Also won the first prize of “Young Category” and “Special Prize of the Best Interpretation of a Violin Concerto” at the 8^th International Louis Spohr Competition in Germany.

Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra (HKCSO)

Established by Dr. Wai-hong Yip in 1996. Members aged 7 to 18 are recruited through highly competitive open auditions and had the opportunity to learn under the baton of renowned conductors. Presented prestigious soloists and international competition winners such as Wei Lu, Tianwa Yang, Xiaoyu Yang, Wenyu Shen, Haochen Zhang, Yun Tang, Wai-yin Wong, Mengla Huang, Wei Xue, Charles Castleman, Chuanyun Li, Xi Chen, Alan Chow, Alvin Chow and Yibing Chu. Annual tour to various countries to perform, exchange and attend local festivals. The Orchestra so far travelled to the mainland China, Asia, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand

Programme

12 | 7 | 2017 WED, 8PM 
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall 
HK$500 $300 $150 
Tickets are now available at URBTIX for ages 6 or above 
Programme Enquiries: +852 5168 9040 or www.linyaoji.com

Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation

To extol and commemorate Professor Lin Yao Ji’s legacy and lifelong work, the Lin Yao Ji Music Foundation was established in 2010 in Hong Kong. In the past few years, the Foundation has held successfully a series of masterclasses, concerts and composition competitions, providing further studying opportunities for talented musicians in the mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. “The Lin Yao Ji International Competition for Violin Compositions” are held biannually since 2012. Winning works were performed in Beijing, Hong Kong and Iceland.

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For further press information please contact:
Jennifer Ip, Project Manager
Tel: +852 5168 9040
Email: jennifer.ip@linyaoji.com

Download Press Release with Performers' Photos:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_7LGHWgNJLzX3A3cE96R2xrems/view?usp=sharing 

Buy Tickets now at: http://www.urbtix.hk/internet/eventDetail/32469