2018 Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition prizewinner offers online concert

You can hear the concert on Friday, June 12 at 7pm when the programme will be Frédéric Chopin Preludes, No 16, No 15 and No 17 Op.28; and Johannes Brahms Three Intermezzi for piano, No 1, No 2 and No 3 Op117 on http://www.hastingsinternationalpiano.org/events/an-evening-in-with-gen-li/

Spokeswoman Dominika Hicks explains: “Hastings International Piano, the charity responsible for the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition and the Hastings International Piano Festival, has launched an online concert series to support the careers of their prizewinners in this time of national crisis. The short recitals premiere every Friday evening on Facebook at 7pm. In these times when the livelihood of our musicians is at risk, with engagements being cancelled and studies on hold, this series aims to provide an income to the young competition prizewinners as well as offering Hastings Piano supporters and the wider public something to look forward to at the end of the week.

“The concerts are free to view, but viewers are able to make a voluntary donation to Hastings International Piano Engagement Fund or choose to join as a Friend whilst watching. These donations help to continue the organisation’s work supporting young pianists as well as engagement projects offered to the young people of Hastings and the surrounding area. This includes free tickets to events as well as workshops, school visits and inspirational talks from visiting artists.”

The Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition is an internationally-renowned competition for young concert pianists from around the world.

Gen Li, British-Chinese concert pianist, visiting professor at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing, jury member of numerous International Piano Competitions under Alink-Argerich Foundation, Artistic Director of London Young Musicians Award, St Petersburg International Piano Competition, Xiangyang Beethoven International Piano Competition, visiting Scholar at Shanghai Conservatory of Music, visiting artist and concerto competition adjudicator of Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance, founder of the TrueArt TV.

During his studying period, Gen won the First Prize at both Birmingham International Piano Competition and the Jacques Samuel Intercollegiate Piano Competition. He performed at many of the world's finest venues including Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, the Purcell Room in London, Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, Grand Hall of Casa da Música in Portugal, Fazioli Concert Hall in Italy, receiving high praise from both public and critics alike. BBC radio 3 presenter Sean Rafferty described him 'the pianist with golden fingers', after listening. As the third prize winner at the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition In 2018, he performed piano concerto with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,conducted by Jac van Steen.

He now regularly serves as a Jury member of many international piano competitions, such as Windsor International Piano Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition in South Africa, St.Petersburg International Piano Competition in Russia, Beethoven International Piano Competition in Xiangyang, China, Neapolitan Masters International Piano Competition in Italy.

He has been invited as a visiting artist to give masterclasses and concerts at the China Conservatory of Music (Beijing), Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance, Wuhan Conservatory of Music etc. He recorded piano concertos with Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra, Roma State Symphony Orchestra, London Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, Barnet Symphony Orchestra, Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra etc. His other competition top-three prizes include Roma International Piano Competition, Malta International Piano Competition, Piano FVG Competition in Sacile, Eastbourne Soloists' Competition, Santa Cecilia Piano Competition in Porto.

Born in China, Gen spent his early years pretty much in the practice room. He came to UK at the age of 15 for his career and finished his studies at Purcell School of Music, Royal College of Music, and Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance. His teachers include Deniz Gelenbe, Ian Jones, Nigel Clayton and Dmitri Alexeev.

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