The Korean child prodigy who set the world of classical music on fire by becoming the youngest pianist to win the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Young Artists Competition, at the age of 10, will make his recital debut in Bangkok as part of the "2012 Great Artists of the World Series" on Oct 20.
Ji-yong will give a piano recital in the main hall of the Thailand Cultural Centre on Oct 20 at 8pm.
Now 21, Ji-yong's recital forms part of the celebrations for the birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen. He will perform works by Bach, Beethoven and the popular Polish composer Frederic Chopin.
The concert is organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Cultural Promotions, in association with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation.
The year after his victory in New York, Ji-yong performed Mozart's D Minor Concerto K466 with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under legendary conductor Kurt Masur. He was immediately signed by one of the world's leading artist agencies and has since become one of the most exciting new artists on the international concert circuit, as well as a superstar in his native South Korea.
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as a thorough musician with a sound and style that is astonishingly mature, Ji-yong's recent engagements have included the Grieg Piano Concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. His many concert appearances have taken him to Chicago's Orchestra Hall, Prague's Smetana Hall, St Petersburg's Philharmonic Hall, New York's Lincoln Center and the Louvre in Paris.
The son of a voice teacher, at the age of five Ji-yong found himself playing melodies on the family piano that he had heard during his mother's teaching.
After commencing formal training at the Korean National University of Arts, he and his family moved to the US when he was nine. There he began studying at the Mannes College of Music. He continued his studies at New York's famed Juilliard School of Music.
Ji-yong's recital takes will take place on Oct 20 at 8pm at the Thailand Cultural Centre's main hall. Tickets cost 400, 800, 1,200, 1,600 and 2,000 baht and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major booths (call 02-262-3456 or visit the website www.thaiticketmajor.com).
Contact the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation on 02-255-66178 or visit www.bangkoksymphony.org.
