Hong Kong has a Piano Star

Sham (centre), with Ozel of the US (left), and Starikov of Israel

Over the weekend, 29-year-old Aristo Sham Ching-tao was awarded first prize in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Forth Worth, Texas, the first time a Hongkonger has won this prestigious event.

He and 27 other competitors from 15 countries went through four gruelling rounds over two-and-a-half weeks. Vitaly Starikov of Israel won silver, and Evren Ozel of the United States was handed bronze.

The competition is held every four years and the Van Cliburn competition has an age limit of 30, so Sham is very lucky to win it this year.

Lee hopes to get Sham to perform in Hong Kong

Sham's award of a gold medal comes with a cash prize of US$100,000, international concert tours, a live album recording contract, career management support, and his performance wardrobe supplied by Neiman Marcus.

After news of Sham's win, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the government would work hard to arrange for the pianist to perform in the city.

"If Aristo will find time to make a few performances in Hong Kong, it will really get us even more excited," he said. 

"We will work hard to see whether we can make it happen."

Looking at his website, the last time Sham performed in Hong Kong was in December, and before that September... perhaps the government could swing a concert or two soon?