Latest news with #VanCliburnInternationalPianoCompetition
RTHK
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
HK enjoys top music education: Aristo Sham
HK enjoys top music education: Aristo Sham Aristo Sham said music teaching in Hong Kong is among the best in the world. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website. Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham says he is honoured to put Hong Kong on the global culture map by showing the world that the city is able to cultivate high-level artists. The remark came after Sham won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a top classical music contest held every four years in the United States. Speaking at a virtual press conference on Thursday, Sham described the competition as the 'end-game' for him. 'It's one of these competitions that really set you up for life. Whatever you want to do in your career, if you win a prize, it really gives you such an opportunity and also such a platform on a global scale,' he said. Sham said music teaching in Hong Kong is among the best in the world. 'I would say that studying music in Hong Kong is at a very high level internationally. The music education, especially at a young age, in Hong Kong is really at the highest level globally, there are very few places that can provide as solid and as high level of a foundation,' he said. Sham also said every musician and performer requires global exposure and knowledge from different cultures. 'It's great that Hongkongers have the opportunity to study overseas, and with the fact that they are able to have such a great foundation in Hong Kong, I think there are a lot of opportunities for success,' he said. Sham thanked Hong Kong people for their support, saying he is glad to be able to perform in the city on August 30 as the first stop of a concert tour in Asia.
RTHK
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Lee pulls strings to home in on Aristo Sham concerts
Lee pulls strings to home in on Aristo Sham concerts Chief Executive John Lee said the government will work hard to arrange for local pianist Aristo Sham to perform in Hong Kong. The intention was made clear after the Hong Kong-born pianist won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a top classical music contest held every four years in the United States. Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lee said Sham's excellent achievement has made every Hongkonger proud. 'If Aristo will find time to make a few performances in Hong Kong, it will really get us even more excited,' he said. 'We will work hard to see whether we can make it happen.' Lee said Hong Kong artists are doing well in different areas and that the Hong Kong Arts Development Council will monitor their potential to offer assistance. The 29-year-old Sham is the first local pianist to win the classical music contest, receiving US$100,000 in prize money.
RTHK
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Lee pulls strings to home in on Aristo Sham concerts
Lee pulls strings to home in on Aristo Sham concerts Aristo Sham is the first local pianist to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Photo courtesy of the Cliburn Competition website. Chief Executive John Lee said the government will work hard to arrange for local pianist Aristo Sham to perform in Hong Kong. The intention was made clear after the Hong Kong-born pianist won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, a top classical music contest held every four years in the United States. Speaking ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, Lee said Sham's excellent achievement has made every Hongkonger proud. 'If Aristo will find time to make a few performances in Hong Kong, it will really get us even more excited,' he said. 'We will work hard to see whether we can make it happen.' Lee said Hong Kong artists are doing well in different areas and that the Hong Kong Arts Development Council will monitor their potential to offer assistance. The 29-year-old Sham is the first local pianist to win the classical music contest, receiving US$100,000 in prize money.
RTHK
09-06-2025
- 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
09-06-2025
- 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.
