Winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition, Bruce Liu has become a real sensation of the pianistic world and has been on an extensive tour across the world’s most prestigious stages. The recording of his title-winning performance was praised by Gramophone as "one of the most distinguished Chopin recitals of recent years, full of maturity, character and purpose." We are thrilled to welcome Bruce to this new episode of 'Music in Words'. In conversation with Prof. Daniel Chua,...

Widely recognized as one of today’s finest interpreters of Franz Schubert, celebrated tenor Ian Bostridge talks about Schubert’s song cycles, Die schöne Müllerin and Winterreise, and his own journey as a scholar-turned-vocalist. To accompany this episode, tune in to the recordings of these song cycles in the Spotify playlist.  Playlist: 'Ian Bostridge: Schubert’s Song Cycle Playlist' Video: 'Music in Words: Ian Bostridge' on YouTube Speaker: Ian Bostridge Moderator: Prof. Daniel Chua ...

"Hope you love the endless, abstract, and powerful message of this work..." Recorded during his visit in 2015 at HKU, pianist Konstantin Lifschitz discussed with Prof. Daniel Chua the art of playing J.S. Bach's The Art of Fugue. An accompanying playlist featuring Mr. Lifschitz's own recording of the masterpiece is also available on Spotify. Playlist: 'Konstantin Lifschitz: The Art of Fugue Playlist' Video: 'Music in Words: Konstantin Lifschitz (2015)' on YouTube Speaker: Konstantin...

Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier’ has laid the backbone of classical chromaticism, revealing the full-colour spectrum of all the 24 keys. Highly acclaimed as a Bach interpreter, pianist Angela Hewitt discusses the work’s architecture, musicality, and spiritual elements, and shares with us what this music means to her. Video: "Music in Words: Angela Hewitt" on YouTube Speaker: Angela Hewitt Moderator: Prof. Daniel Chua Month of Recording: September 2018

Pianist Paul Lewis shares with us how he makes use of the lockdown to revisit old repertoire and discover new works, his experience with live streaming, and his reflection on the meaning of live concerts. A heralded interpreter of Beethoven and Schubert, Paul also tells us how he finds their works deeply consoling at this time. Playlist: "Paul Lewis in the Time of COVID-19 Playlist" with the music discussed in this conversation Video: "Paul Lewis in the Time of COVID-19" on YouTube ...

Krzysztof Chorzelski of the Belcea Quartet shares how the ensemble copes with the unprecedented challenges and what the Beethoven Cycle means to them, and reflects fondly on their time with their mentors, the great Alban Berg and Amadeus Quartets. Playlist: "Belcea Quartet in the Time of COVID-19 Playlist" with the music discussed in this conversation  Video: "Belcea Quartet in the Time of COVID-19" on YouTube Speaker: Krzysztof Chorzelski Moderator: Prof. Daniel Chua Month of...

Maestro Jaap van Zweden shares his leadership philosophy, his interpretation of Beethoven symphonies, his work with the Papageno Foundation, as well as the inspiration from other great conductors, including an episode on picking up the baton for the first time under Bernstein’s encouragement. Playlist: "Jaap van Zweden in the Time of COVID-19" with the music discussed in this conversation Video: "Maestro van Zweden in the Time of COVID-19" on Facebook Speaker: Jaap van Zweden, SBS ...

Oliver Schnyder and Benjamin Nyffenegger of the Oliver Schnyder Trio talk about their projects during the pandemic, how their personalities shape the group’s dynamics, the unique beauty composers reveal through the piano trio repertoire, as well as their experience in presenting these musical gems. Playlist: "Oliver Schnyder Trio in the Time of COVID-19 Playlist" with the music discussed in this conversation  Video: "Oliver Schnyder Trio in the Time of COVID-19" on YouTube Speakers:...

In this dialogue with HKU’s Prof. Daniel Chua, Edward Dusinberre and Harumi Rhodes of the Takács Quartet shared their thoughts in response to the unprecedented challenges we all face. Find out how the Quartet’s programming philosophy has evolved, what collaborations they find meaningful, and what music resonates in their minds. Playlist: "Takács Quartet in the Time of COVID-19" with the music discussed in this conversation Video: "Takács Quartet in the Time of COVID-19" on YouTube ...