Ji Liu's album hits top spot in Classical Chart
Pianist Ji Liu, who is undertaking a practical PhD project in the Music Department, went straight to number one in the UK Classical chart last week (9 February 2014) with his debut solo album ‘Piano Reflections’.
He beat off stiff competition from well established classical artists such as Andre Rieu and replaced popular compilation album ‘Classical Voices’ which had held the top spot for over two months.
Classic FM first became aware of Ji’s musical talent back in 2012 and supported the development of his repertoire for this solo debut. ‘Piano Reflections’ comprises fresh interpretations of some of the most well known classical piano music which encompass Ji’s own style and show off his creative technical ability.
‘I wanted to make the music accessible to more people and to reinterpret these traditional songs with different emotions, making each one representative of different feelings. I obviously have big ambitions for my music and performance but I could never have dreamed that my debut album would go straight to number one!’ said Ji.
Ji began his musical training aged three and has since won countless international awards and competitions including First Prize in the 6th Pinault International Piano Competition in New York City. He’s also given recitals at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and 92nd Street Y in New York and performed at various world renowned festivals such as the Solo Piano Festival in Italy.
Ji studied his MMus at the Royal Academy of Music and is now researching a PhD entitled ‘The beauty of imperfection’ at King’s. This will explore the different approaches to unfinished pieces in collaboration with the visual arts.
Ji has been described as a ‘young piano sensation’ and his solo career continues with upcoming recitals at even more prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in September. He will be performing the Rachaminoff Piano Concerto in C Minor, No.2 Op.18 with the London Concert Orchestra at the Barbican Centre this evening (14 February 2014).
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/student/news/stories/2014/Music-students-album-hits-top-spot-in-Classical-Chart.aspx
He beat off stiff competition from well established classical artists such as Andre Rieu and replaced popular compilation album ‘Classical Voices’ which had held the top spot for over two months.
Classic FM first became aware of Ji’s musical talent back in 2012 and supported the development of his repertoire for this solo debut. ‘Piano Reflections’ comprises fresh interpretations of some of the most well known classical piano music which encompass Ji’s own style and show off his creative technical ability.
‘I wanted to make the music accessible to more people and to reinterpret these traditional songs with different emotions, making each one representative of different feelings. I obviously have big ambitions for my music and performance but I could never have dreamed that my debut album would go straight to number one!’ said Ji.
Ji began his musical training aged three and has since won countless international awards and competitions including First Prize in the 6th Pinault International Piano Competition in New York City. He’s also given recitals at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Royal Festival Hall and 92nd Street Y in New York and performed at various world renowned festivals such as the Solo Piano Festival in Italy.
Ji studied his MMus at the Royal Academy of Music and is now researching a PhD entitled ‘The beauty of imperfection’ at King’s. This will explore the different approaches to unfinished pieces in collaboration with the visual arts.
Ji has been described as a ‘young piano sensation’ and his solo career continues with upcoming recitals at even more prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in September. He will be performing the Rachaminoff Piano Concerto in C Minor, No.2 Op.18 with the London Concert Orchestra at the Barbican Centre this evening (14 February 2014).
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/student/news/stories/2014/Music-students-album-hits-top-spot-in-Classical-Chart.aspx
