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| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| education = [[Royal Academy of Music]], London
| education = [[Royal Academy of Music]], London
| birth_date = {{circa|1990}}
| birth_date = 1990
| birth_place = China
| birth_place = China
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
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'''Ji Liu''' (born 1990) is a [[China]]-born concert pianist, recording artist and composer, currently based in [[London]].
'''Ji Liu''' (born {{circa|1990}}) is a [[London]]-based, [[China]]-born concert pianist, recording artist and composer. In 2014, his solo debut album ''Piano Reflections'' with Classic FM achieved the #1 position in the [[UK Albums Chart|UK classical charts]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu's album hits top spot in Classical Chart|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/student/news/stories/2014/Music-students-album-hits-top-spot-in-Classical-Chart.aspx|website=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/student/news/stories/2014/Music-students-album-hits-top-spot-in-Classical-Chart.aspx|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> Ji Liu started playing the piano at the age of 3.<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|website=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> Whilst still only 13, he won an international competition to perform a recital at [[New York]]'s famed [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu Biography|url=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|website=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> That concert proved to be a major turning point in Ji's career and he subsequently left China to relocate to Europe and devote himself entirely to music.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu Facts|url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> First studying in [[Spain]], Ji won a scholarship in 2007 to the [[Royal Academy of Music]] and moved to London, which he now considers home.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Chinese pianist in London : Ji Liu and his first album on Classic FM|url=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/|website=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/}}</ref> Ji Liu has gone on to win many more awards, he has played on some of the world's most famous stages and has appeared at many international festivals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Artist Biography|url=http://www.wethersfieldchamberconcerts.org.uk/season|website=http://www.wethersfieldchamberconcerts.org.uk/season|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref>


Ji Liu was born in China to a family with an interest in music, where his mother played guitar and his father played the trumpet, although his parents were not professional musicians.<ref name="Gumble">{{cite web|author=Daniel Gumble |title=Interview: Classical pianist Ji Liu | url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|work=Musical Instrument Professional |accessdate=2014-08-24}}</ref> He expressed an interest in learning the piano at age 3.<ref name="Gumble"/> He subsequently began piano and music lessons, and undertook formal studies at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in piano and conducting.
==Early life==


At age 13, Ji won the 6th Pinault piano competition in New York City in 2003, which subsequently led to his debut recital at Carnegie Hall.<ref name="Gumble"/> In 2004, he earned Second Prize in the 11th International Music Competition Jeunesses Musicales in Bucharest, and First Prize in the Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition in Canada. Upon completion of his studies in Shanghai, he then moved to Europe, and became a pupil of [[Dmitri Bashkirov]] at the [[Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia]] in Madrid. <ref name="Gumble"/> In 2007, Ji moved to London, having received a full scholarship to continue his [[Bachelor of Music]] focusing on Piano Performance with Prof. [[Christopher Elton]] and Composition with Ruth Byrchmore at the [[Royal Academy of Music]] (RAM). During his studies at the RAM, he received the RAMs Club Prize. In 2010, he won First Prize in the Sheepdrove Piano Competition. In 2013, he graduated from the RAM with a [[Master of Music]] with both a [[Distinction]] and a DipRAM.
Ji Liu was born in China to a musical family, Ji Liu recalled “my mother played guitar and my father played the trumpet and, although they weren’t professional musicians, they really loved music.” <ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Classical pianist Ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> “...as a baby, my parents noticed that I could hum in tune and thought early on that maybe I had some musical talent, so, when I was three years-old, they took me to a music shop and asked me to choose an instrument that I’d like to play. I was drawn to the piano...”<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Classical pianist Ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761}}</ref> Since then, Ji Liu began taking music lessons, continuing his studies at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and moving to Europe, where he learnt under the legendary pianist and educator, Dmitri Bashkirov; a move which proved to be hugely significant in his already burgeoning development when he was only 15. <ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Classical Pianist Ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref>


Ji has recorded Gershwin's [[Rhapsody in Blue]] with James Watson and the Royal Academy of Music's Symphonic Brass Ensemble on the RAMs own label, in an album released in November 2010. In 2014, he released his solo debut album ''Piano Reflections''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu's album hits top spot in Classical Chart|url=http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/student/news/stories/2014/Music-students-album-hits-top-spot-in-Classical-Chart.aspx | work=King's College London Student News | date=2014-02-14 | accessdate=2014-08-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Ji Liu makes the music speak for itself | url=https://www.pianistmagazine.com/Reviews/52/Ji_Liu_makes_the_music_speak_for_itself/ | work=Pianist Magazine | date=2014-05-26 | accessdate=2015-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author=Jed Distler | title=Piano Reflections | url=http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/piano-reflections | work=Gramophone | date=August 2014 | accessdate=2015-02-12}}</ref>
===Carnegie Hall recital début===
Nevertheless, it was at the age of 13, whilst still pursuing his study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Ji Liu was given his major breakthrough – a debut recital at Carnegie Hall, which he treats as one of the very first big moments of his career. "When I was 13 years old, I won an international piano competition in New York City. This prize led me to a Debut Recital at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in NYC. Obviously it was a BIG thing for a 13-year-old kid – although I had played recitals across my native country before, it was the first time I went abroad and shared my playing on such a great stage!" <ref>{{cite web|title=A Chinese pianist in London : Ji Liu and his first album on Classic FM|url=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/|website=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> “I just wanted to hide under the piano before I came out on stage,” he recalls. “...I was so nervous, but once I went out on to the stage the audience was so supportive and that moment opened my mind. Suddenly I could feel the connection between me, the composers and the audience, like a trinity with the soul getting connected. It was a magic, chemical effect. At that moment I knew that playing piano was what I wanted to do with my life.”<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Classical Pianist ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref>


Outside of music, Ji s hobbies include [[breakdancing]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Anne-Marie Marshall | title=Ji Liu on Piano Reflections and breakdancing | url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/news/ji-liu-piano-reflections-breakdancing-interview/|website=Classic FM Magazine|date=2014-01-24 | accessdate=2014-08-23}}</ref>
===London===
Four years after his transcendent Carnegie Hall experience, Liu relocated to London; a city now he proudly calls home.<ref>{{cite web|title=Classical Pianist Ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref> “I came to London when I was 17 and it has been the best choice of my life. I really loved Sherlock Holmes and Shakespeare and Harry Potter, so London is now more like a home to me. The more I live here, the more I love it. It’s such a comprehensive city...” <ref>{{cite web|title=Interview Classical Pianist Ji Liu|url=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|website=http://www.mi-pro.co.uk/news/read/interview-classical-pianist-ji-liu/018761|accessdate=24 August 2014}}</ref>

==Selected performances and appearances==

Ji Liu made his [[Carnegie Hall]] Recital Début when he was 13.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu Facts and News|url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/}}</ref> Since then, he has given recitals at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals across 5 continents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu Piano|url=http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/soloists/546/ji_liu|website=http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/orchestra/soloists/546/ji_liu|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> Ji Liu has performed at [[92nd Street Y]] in [[New York City]]; [[Wigmore Hall]], [[Royal Festival Hall]], [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]], [[Purcell Room]], [[Barbican Centre]], [http://www.sjss.org.u St. John’s Smith Square] and [http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org St. Martin-in-the-fields] in London; [[Sage Gateshead]] in Newcastle; [[Town Hall]] in [[Birmingham]]; [[Auditorium du Louvre]] and [http://www.ecolenormalecortot.com Salle Cortot] in [[Paris]]; [[Concertgebouw]] in [[Amsterdam]]; [[Salle Garnier]] Opéra in [[Monte-Carlo]]; [http://www.theatreunion.re Théâtre de Champ Fleuri] in [[La Réunion]]; Rachmaninoff Hall at [[Tchaikovsky Conservatory]] in [[Moscow]]; [[Hong Kong]] Town Hall and Shanghai Oriental Art Centre and among others. Also, Ji Liu has appeared at Newbury Spring Festival in UK; International Stavanger Chamber Music Festival in Norway; Solo Piano Festival in Italy and the third International Music Festival of Asian-Pacific Region in Russia. On July 29, 2014, Ji Liu made his debut recital at the prestigious Bristol Proms at the [[Bristol Old Vic]] by playing [[John Cage]]'s most controversial composition [[4'33"]] <ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu performs John Cage's 4'33" live at the Bristol Proms|url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/news/john-cage-433-live-bristol-proms/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/news/john-cage-433-live-bristol-proms/|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> and [[Bach]]'s [[Goldberg Variation]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu - Bach and Cage|url=http://www.classicfm.com/concerts-events/bristol-proms/concerts/ji-liu-last-gasp-of-romanticism/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/concerts-events/bristol-proms/concerts/ji-liu-last-gasp-of-romanticism/}}</ref>

Following his youthful début in New York City, at the age of 14, Ji Liu performed Ravel Piano Concerto in G Major with the French Republic Guard Orchestra and François Boulanger in Canada. In the same year, he also collaborated with Eric Lederhandler performing both of Ravel’s piano concertos with the Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra in China. In 2008 he performed [[Rachmaninoff]]’s Piano Concerto No.2 with Academy Concert Orchestra and Mr. [[Tadaaki Otaka]] in London. In 2010 he played Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.2 at Drapers Hall and [[Hatfield House]]; Mozart’s Piano Concerto K. 488 with the London String Ensemble. His CD of Gershwin’s [[Rhapsody in Blue]] with [[James Watson]] and the Royal Academy of Music’s Symphonic Brass Ensemble on the Academy’s own label was released in November 2010 and received great acclaim. In 2011, he performed Mozart and Beethoven piano concertos with Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in China and in 2012, the Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 with Lavenham Sinfonia in [[Suffolk]]. In 2014, Ji made his concerto debut with [[Kensington Symphony Orchestra]] by playing Liszt [[Totentanz]] for Piano and Orchestra at [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]] in [[London]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Kensington Symphony Orchestra/Russell Keable at Queen Elizabeth Hall with Ji Liu – A night of the macabre – Mussorgsky's Bare Mountain, Liszt's Totentanz, Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony|url=http://classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=11700|website=http://classicalsource.com/db_control/db_concert_review.php?id=11700}}</ref> followed by his [[Barbican Hall]] debut with London Concert Orchestra by performing Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2, Op.18.<ref>{{cite web|title=Love Classics for Valentine’s at the Barbican centre : a marvelous night with a highlight|url=http://performancereviewed.com/love-classics-valentines-barbican-centre-marvelous-night-highlight/|website=http://performancereviewed.com/love-classics-valentines-barbican-centre-marvelous-night-highlight/}}</ref>

==Other passions==

===Fashion===
Apart from playing [[piano]] and composing, Ji Liu loves [[fashion]] and [[visual arts]] as well.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Chinese pianist in London : Ji Liu and his first album on Classic FM|url=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/|website=http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/}}</ref> Ji Liu once revealed his favourite designers by mentioning [[Alexander McQueen]], [[Tom Ford]], [[Christopher Bailey]], [[Christopher Kane]], [[Issey Miyake]], [[Stella McCartney]], [[Vivienne Westwood]], [[Victoria Beckham]] and [[Kenzo]]. And his shoes by [[Christian Louboutin]] made extra compliments from public and press after his debut recital at the Bristol Proms in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu at [http://www.bristololdvic.org.uk/bristolproms.html Bristol Proms]|url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/pictures/bristol-proms/ji-liu-at-the-bristol-proms-3/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/pictures/bristol-proms/ji-liu-at-the-bristol-proms-3/}}</ref>

===Breakdancing===
Surprisingly, Ji Liu also happens to be a [[breakdancer]]. Ji Liu explained how break-dancing had helped him improve his piano playing and strength in his Classic FM interview, "After doing my breakdancing, I can play Hungarian Rhapsodies without any problem! It takes me out of my comfort zone… I can feel the rhythm."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu on Piano Reflections and breakdancing|url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/news/ji-liu-piano-reflections-breakdancing-interview/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/news/ji-liu-piano-reflections-breakdancing-interview/|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
In 2005 and 2006, Ji took part in the [[Verbier Festival]] & Academy in Switzerland, where he received the Tabor Piano Award and CUBS Prize from [[UBS Bank]]. From 2008 to 2012, he was the recipient of the Martin Musical Award from the [[Philharmonia Orchestra]]. In 2010, he was awarded the Audience Prize of the Friends of RAM Wigmore Award, and was selected by the International Holland Music Session in the Netherlands for their 'New Masters on Tour' Series. In 2011, he was an award recipient from the [[Yamaha Music Foundation]] of Europe. Over the period 2011-2014, he was a recipient of several Hattori Foundation awards. He became the youngest ever first prize winner at Brant International Pianoforte Competition in Birmingham. He was selected as a Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) artist in 2013.<ref>{{cite press release | title=2013 YCAT Artists Announced | url=http://www.ycat.co.uk/news?page=2 | website=Young Classical Artists Trust | date=22 January 2014 | accessdate=2014-08-23}}</ref>

Ji Liu has received many awards. In 2005 and 2006, he took part in the [[Verbier Festival]] & Academy in Switzerland, where he received the Tabor Piano Award and CUBS Prize from [[UBS Bank]]. From 2008 to 2012, he was the recipient of the Martin Musical Award from the [[Philharmonia Orchestra]]. In 2010, he was awarded the Audience Prize of the Friends of RAM Wigmore Award, and was selected by the International Holland Music Session in the Netherlands for their prestigious “New Master on Tour” Series.<ref>{{cite web|title=Events in the Past|url=http://www.hollandmusicsessions.com/history/index.php|website=http://www.hollandmusicsessions.com/history/index.php}}</ref> In 2011, he was the recipient of the award from the [[Yamaha Music Foundation]] of Europe,<ref>{{cite web|title=Winners in the Past|url=http://uk.yamaha.com/en/music_education/ymfe/winners/|website=http://uk.yamaha.com/en/music_education/ymfe/winners/}}</ref> the Hattori Foundation’s Début Prize <ref>{{cite web|title=Debut Prize|url=http://www.hattorifoundation.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101:debut-prize&Itemid=232|website=http://www.hattorifoundation.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101:debut-prize&Itemid=232}}</ref> and the Royal Academy of Music’s Club Prize.<ref>{{cite web|title=Past winners|url=http://www.intermusica.co.uk/news/06-12/Furness|website=http://www.intermusica.co.uk/news/06-12/Furness|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref> He was selected by Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=2013 YCAT Artists Announced|url=http://www.ycat.co.uk/news?page=2|website=http://www.ycat.co.uk/news?page=2|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref>

Ji Liu's competition successes include First Prize in the 6th Pinault International Piano Competition in New York City in 2003, and in 2004 Second Prize in the 11th International Music Competition Jeunesses Musicales in Bucharest and First Prize in the Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition in Canada. In 2010, he won First Prize in the Sheepdrove Piano Competition in the UK. Later he became the youngest ever first prize winner at Brant International Pianoforte Competition in Birmingham.<ref>{{cite web|title=Youngest ever winner announced|url=http://www.thsh.co.uk/news/youngest-ever-winner-announced/|website=http://www.thsh.co.uk/news/youngest-ever-winner-announced/}}</ref>

==Education background==

Ji Liu has received invaluable guidance from [[Pierre-Laurent Aimard]], [[Leif Ove Andsnes]], [[Boris Berman]], [[Paul Badura-Skoda]], [[Imogen Cooper]], Barry Douglas, [[Claude Frank]], [[Richard Goode]], [[Stephen Hough]], [[Zoltán Kocsis]], Fou Ts’ong, [[Lilya Zilberstein]], [[Ida Kavafian]], [[Pamela Frank]], [[Yuri Bashmet]] and [[Salvatore Accardo]] among others.

Ji Liu initially studied piano and conducting at the [[Shanghai Conservatory of Music]], after which he studied under [[Dmitri Bashkirov]] at the [[Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia]] in Madrid. In 2007, Ji Liu was awarded a full schoalrship to continue his [[Bachelor of Music]] focusing on Piano Performance with Prof. [[Christopher Elton]] and Composition with Ruth Byrchmore at the [[Royal Academy of Music]]. In 2013, he graduated his [[Master of Music]] with both a [[Distinction]] and a DipRAM for his extraordinary Final Recital from the [[Royal Academy of Music]].<ref>{{cite web|title=About|url=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|website=http://jipianist.com/Ji_Website/About.html|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref>


==Albums==
==Albums==
• ''American Icons'' (2011) - Gershwin, ''Rhapsody in Blue'', with Royal Academy of Music Symphonic Brass and James Watson
===''Piano Reflections'' (2014)===
• ''Piano Reflections'' (2014)

'''Tracklist'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Ji Liu Piano Reflections|url=http://www.classicfm.com/shop/cds/ji-liu-piano-reflections/|website=http://www.classicfm.com/shop/cds/ji-liu-piano-reflections/|accessdate=23 August 2014}}</ref>

# Mendelssohn (trans. Rachmaninov) - A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo
# Chopin - Nocturne in E flat major Opus 9 No.2
# Chopin - Nocturne in C minor Opus 48 No.1
# Liszt - Liebestraum No.3
# Beethoven - Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor Opus 27 No.2 (“Moonlight”)
## Adagio sostenuto
## Allegretto
## Presto agitato
# Schubert (trans. Liszt/Horowitz) - Ständchen
# Tchaikovsky - The Seasons – June: Barcarolle
# Wencheng - Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake
# Debussy - Suite Bergamasque
## Prélude
## Menuet
## Clair de lune
## Passepied
# Saint-Saëns - Danse Macabre

===''American Icons'' (2011)===

Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue with Royal Academy of Music Symphonic Brass and James Watson<ref>{{cite web|title=American Icons|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Icons-Academy-Symphonic-Watson/dp/B004K7UAD6|website=http://www.amazon.co.uk/American-Icons-Academy-Symphonic-Watson/dp/B004K7UAD6}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Compositions==


===For solo keyboard instrument===
===For solo keyboard instrument===

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQ3Iu-apSw "DNA" Sonata for Solo PIano (2012)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDQ3Iu-apSw "DNA" Sonata for Solo PIano (2012)]

* "Homage to Schubert" Sonata for Solo piano (2011)
* "Homage to Schubert" Sonata for Solo piano (2011)

* Paraphrase on a theme of "A way of Life" (2011)
* Paraphrase on a theme of "A way of Life" (2011)

* Fugue for solo piano (2009)
* Fugue for solo piano (2009)

* Etude for left hand alone for solo piano (2006)
* Etude for left hand alone for solo piano (2006)


===For chamber music===
===For chamber music===

* Sonata for 2 pianos and 2 computer keyboards (2012)
* Sonata for 2 pianos and 2 computer keyboards (2012)


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===For small ensemble===
===For small ensemble===

* 12 Transcendental ETudes for sinfonietta “Mathful！”（2012）
* 12 Transcendental ETudes for sinfonietta “Mathful！”（2012）
*# π
*# π
Line 127: Line 72:


===For voice===
===For voice===

* “Snowflake”, Pop-Song for voice and midi devices (2010)
* “Snowflake”, Pop-Song for voice and midi devices (2010)

⚫
==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.jipianist.com/}}
⚫
* [http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/ Artist Page of Ji Liu at Classic FM]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

⚫
==External links==
* [http://www.jipianist.com/ Official Ji Liu website]
⚫
* [http://www.classicfm.com/artists/ji-liu/ Artist Page of Ji Liu at Classic FM]
* [http://performancereviewed.com/chinese-pianist-london-ji-liu-first-album-classic-fm/ A Chinese pianist in London : Ji Liu and his first album on Classic FM. Performance Reviewed website, 20 March 2014]
* [http://www.hollandmusicsessions.com/history/index.php The International Holland Music Sessions, Careers in the Making page]
* [http://www.thsh.co.uk/news/youngest-ever-winner-announced/ Town Hall/Symphony Hall Birmingham, 2010 announcement from Brant Pianoforte Competition]
* [http://www.sheepdrove.com/660.htm Sheepdrove Organic Farm, "The 2010 Competition Results - China's Ji Liu wins 2nd Sheepdrove Piano Competition"]
* [http://uk.yamaha.com/en/music_education/ymfe/winners/ Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe, Winners of the past]
* [http://www.nottinghampost.com/Review-Ji-Liu-Royal-Concert-Hall/story-24545394-detail/story.html William Ruff, Review: Ji Liu, Royal Concert Hall. Nottingham Post, 17 November 2014]


{{Persondata
{{Persondata
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Liu, Ji}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liu, Ji}}
[[Category:1990s births]]
[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:Chinese male composers]]
[[Category:Chinese male composers]]
[[Category:Chinese pianists]]
[[Category:Chinese pianists]]

Revision as of 06:08, 12 February 2015

Ji Liu
Ji Liu break dancing on the piano
Background information
Born1990
China
GenresClassical
Occupation(s)
Labels
Websitewww.jipianist.com

Ji Liu (born 1990) is a China-born concert pianist, recording artist and composer, currently based in London.

Ji Liu was born in China to a family with an interest in music, where his mother played guitar and his father played the trumpet, although his parents were not professional musicians.[1] He expressed an interest in learning the piano at age 3.[1] He subsequently began piano and music lessons, and undertook formal studies at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in piano and conducting.

At age 13, Ji won the 6th Pinault piano competition in New York City in 2003, which subsequently led to his debut recital at Carnegie Hall.[1] In 2004, he earned Second Prize in the 11th International Music Competition Jeunesses Musicales in Bucharest, and First Prize in the Ludmila Knezkova-Hussey International Piano Competition in Canada. Upon completion of his studies in Shanghai, he then moved to Europe, and became a pupil of Dmitri Bashkirov at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sofia in Madrid. [1] In 2007, Ji moved to London, having received a full scholarship to continue his Bachelor of Music focusing on Piano Performance with Prof. Christopher Elton and Composition with Ruth Byrchmore at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM). During his studies at the RAM, he received the RAMs Club Prize. In 2010, he won First Prize in the Sheepdrove Piano Competition. In 2013, he graduated from the RAM with a Master of Music with both a Distinction and a DipRAM.

Ji has recorded Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with James Watson and the Royal Academy of Music's Symphonic Brass Ensemble on the RAMs own label, in an album released in November 2010. In 2014, he released his solo debut album Piano Reflections.[2][3][4]

Outside of music, Ji s hobbies include breakdancing.[5]

Awards

In 2005 and 2006, Ji took part in the Verbier Festival & Academy in Switzerland, where he received the Tabor Piano Award and CUBS Prize from UBS Bank. From 2008 to 2012, he was the recipient of the Martin Musical Award from the Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2010, he was awarded the Audience Prize of the Friends of RAM Wigmore Award, and was selected by the International Holland Music Session in the Netherlands for their 'New Masters on Tour' Series. In 2011, he was an award recipient from the Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe. Over the period 2011-2014, he was a recipient of several Hattori Foundation awards. He became the youngest ever first prize winner at Brant International Pianoforte Competition in Birmingham. He was selected as a Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) artist in 2013.[6]

Albums

• American Icons (2011) - Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue, with Royal Academy of Music Symphonic Brass and James Watson • Piano Reflections (2014)

Compositions

For solo keyboard instrument

  • "DNA" Sonata for Solo PIano (2012)
  • "Homage to Schubert" Sonata for Solo piano (2011)
  • Paraphrase on a theme of "A way of Life" (2011)
  • Fugue for solo piano (2009)
  • Etude for left hand alone for solo piano (2006)

For chamber music

  • Sonata for 2 pianos and 2 computer keyboards (2012)
  • tre pezzi per oboe e pianoforte (2011)
    1. Silenzio
    2. conflito
    3. arcobaleno
  • Rhapsody for violin and piano (2010)

For small ensemble

  • 12 Transcendental ETudes for sinfonietta “Mathful！”（2012）
    1. π
    2. =
    3. ≠
    4. <
    5. >
    6. ∞
    7. ⊆
    8. x
    9. y
    10. ‖
    11. ⊥
    12. ∵

For voice

  • “Snowflake”, Pop-Song for voice and midi devices (2010)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Daniel Gumble. "Interview: Classical pianist Ji Liu". Musical Instrument Professional. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  2. ^ "Ji Liu's album hits top spot in Classical Chart". King's College London Student News. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  3. ^ "Ji Liu makes the music speak for itself". Pianist Magazine. 2014-05-26. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  4. ^ Jed Distler (August 2014). "Piano Reflections". Gramophone. Retrieved 2015-02-12.
  5. ^ Anne-Marie Marshall (2014-01-24). "Ji Liu on Piano Reflections and breakdancing". Classic FM Magazine. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  6. ^ "2013 YCAT Artists Announced". Young Classical Artists Trust (Press release). 22 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-23.

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