Gen Li, finalist in last year’s Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition.

Gen Li to give winter recital

Chinese pianist Gen Li, who thrilled the audience at the final of last year’s Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition with his rendition of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 3, will be performing in Hastings once again this month. Julian Norridge sets the scene.

Gen Li will be giving the Winter Prizewinner’s Recital  at Fairlight Hall on Saturday 12 January. The concert will take place between 11am and 1pm, with an interval. Doors will open at 10.30.

He will be playing an eclectic programme, which will begin with Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No. 11, Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 12, Albeniz’s Suite Iberia VII – El Albacin and Chopin’s Etudes Nos. 9 and 10.

After the interval, he will perform Debussy’s Images Book 11, Schubert’s Klavierstücke D.946 No 2 and Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1.

“Golden fingers”

Gen Li has been described by BBC Radio 3’s Sean Rafferty as having “golden fingers”. He has appeared as a soloist at some of the world’s finest venues, including Wigmore Hall, the Purcell Room and Cadogan Hall in London, Fazioli Hall in Italy and Casa de Musica Great Hall in Porto.

He has also won numerous competitions, including the London Jacques Samuel, Eastbourne, Brant International, Malta International and the Santa Cecilia Piano Competition.

The Winter Prizewinners’ Recital marks the beginning of the run-up to the 2019 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition, which this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. It will take place at the White Rock Theatre starting on 21 February.

Once again it will culminate in a two-evening final, on 1 and 2 March, when the six finalists will perform one of their complete chosen concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets for all stages of the competition are now on sale from the White Rock Theatre (01424 462288) or online.

Tickets for the Winter Prizewinners’ Recital cost £15 and can be bought online or from the Hastings Tourist Information Centre, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings TN34 3AA (01424 451111).

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