Two Of The World’s Best Young Piano Virtuosi Heading To Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 For Chopin Bicentennial Celebrations

Two of the world’s best young piano virtuosi, Nobuyuki Tsujii and Yundi Li , are heading to the Abu Dhabi Festival 2010, organised by the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF). They will each give a piano recital as part of the Chopin Bicentennial celebrations which is a core theme in this year’s Festival.

Nobuyuki Tsujii will give his piano recital at The Emirates Palace on 28 March with a programme dedicated to the works of Chopin and Liszt.This Japanese pianist was the joint-winner of the coveted Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Gold Medal at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June 2009. At the age of 12, Tsujii made his debuts at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall in Japan and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in the USA. Now 21, Tsujii has appeared as soloist with many of the major Japanese orchestras including Yomiuri Nippon Symphony, Tokyo Symphony and Japan Philharmonic. He has also given recitals in Forth Worth and Houston, and embarked on a major recital tour of Japan.

Nobuyuki Tsujii comments:
“I am looking forward to celebrating the Chopin Bicentennial at the Abu Dhabi Festival. Chopin has been a real focus for me this year and I have recently recorded the pieces I am going to perform in Abu Dhabi for my new CD released in March. I hope to be able to contribute to the success of this wonderful festival with some great performances for the people of Abu Dhabi.”

Yundi Li’s piano recital at The Emirates Palace is on 1 April and will feature a programme of Chopin piano works. He was propelled onto the international musical scene when he won first prize at the 2000 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland, at the age of 18. Critically acclaimed for his technical precision and boundless enthusiasm, Li made his American orchestral debut in July 2003 with the Philadelphia Orchestra. The following Spring he completed his North American debut recital tour. Highlights of recent seasons include concerts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra; the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican Centre; and in Seoul, South Korea.

Yundi Li Comments:
“I have always had a special connection with the music of the great romantic composer, Chopin, who wrote prolifically for the piano. It was a great honour for me to win the Chopin Competition back in 2000 and now to perform as part of the special celebrations of Chopin’s Bicentennial at the Abu Dhabi Festival. I will be playing some of Chopin’s most loved pieces and I am looking forward to the concert immensely.”

The Abu Dhabi Festival 2010 is held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and runs until 7 April. This year’s Festival will be a feast of arts and culture with more than 90 events over three weeks, fusing world-class performances in traditional, classical and jazz music, drama, fine arts, ballet and strong education and community programs.

Tickets for the Festival are on sale from timeouttickets.com, selected Virgin Megastores (Abu Dhabi Mall and Mall of the Emirates Dubai) and The Emirates Palace (12pm -6pm; until 9.30pm on concert days). Part of the proceeds will go to the Ewa’a Shelters for Women and Children. More information can be found at www.abudhabifestival.ae
 

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