Piano Recital by Chi Ho Han

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Korean Wave has swept across the globe, and in addition to popular music and Korean drama, Classical music scene has also been greatly influenced by Korean young musicians. The Musica del Cuore concert series, a music project under Champion REIT, has been hosting free classical music concerts at its landmark property Three Garden Road since 2015. The series is dedicated to nurturing the potential and talent of young musicians.

Back in 2015, they have invited the then 23-year-old Korean pianist Chi Ho Han, who claimed in the year before top prizes consecutively in three major competitions across three continents, to perform at Three Garden Road. Since then, Chi Ho Han has become one of the world’s leading pianists and has developed into a versatile musical master. On 21 & 22 June this year, he will once again grace the stage of Musica del Cuore to present a solo recital and masterclass for his long-awaited fans in Hong Kong.

When the Piano Poet Meets the Little Prince

Chi Ho Han’s exploration of music and the world mirrors the experiences of the protagonist in the French classic “The Little Prince” (Le Petit Prince). Like the Little Prince, he has encountered various people and situations, such as the aviator, the rose and the fox, to create a unique “traveler’s diary”. From a music-loving and pure-hearted boy, he has become a versatile professional musician. This year marks the 80th anniversary of “The Little Prince”, from which Chi Ho Han gained inspiration for his recital program in Hong Kong. He has chosen pieces based on the scenes and characters of the book, hoping to convey the deeper meaning through the stage of the Musica del Cuore concert. He believes that each character in “The Little Prince” resembles our growth and our different encounters. As we got pushed forward by worldly matters, we sometimes forget the purest human qualities.

On 21 June, Chi Ho Han will return to the familiar stage to give a solo concert and share the story of his Little Prince with Hong Kong music lovers. This will be followed by a masterclass on 22 June, which will be Chi Ho Han’s first masterclass in Hong Kong, giving Hong Kong students the opportunity to interact with the young maestro in person, listen to his teachings and demonstrations, and receive personal guidance. The public is welcome to attend as observers and witness Chi Ho Han share his professional experiences and insights into music creation, performance and teaching. These two consecutive days of rare and magnificent performances are not to be missed!

Piano Masterclass with Professor Chi Ho Han

Date: 22 June, 2024 (Saturday)
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Venue: Eaton Club (5/F, Champion Tower, Three Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong)
Note: The masterclass will be conducted in English
Seats are limited. Online registration required for observer admission tickets:
https://bit.ly/3R0M3Cl

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

Born in South Korea and currently based in Germany, Korean pianist Chi Ho Han is a unique interpreter of a wide range of piano repertoire. He excels in both traditional classical works and contemporary compositions, and has won numerous awards in international piano competitions. In 2009, at the age of 17, he became the first Korean to win a prize at the Beethoven Competition in Vienna. By the age of 20, he had established his own distinctive style in the German art scene, winning prizes at the Beethoven Competition in Vienna and Bonn, and the Schubert Competition in Dortmund. Han studied with piano masters Arnulf von Arnim and Arie Vardi, and in recent years has gained recognition from the renowned composer György Kurtág, performing dedicated concert of Kurtág's works and other classics under the composer's supervision in Hungary. He has also performed a wide range of concertos from Classical and Romantic standards to contemporary commissions at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall. His versatility in interpreting different musical genres is evident. Chi Ho Han frequently conducts master classes and radio episodes, sharing his experience and knowledge with young musicians, and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians. In August this year, at the age of 32, Chi Ho Han is appointed associate professor at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, USA, becoming the youngest faculty in the school's history.