Discover the Piano Sounds from South America this Christmas Eve

This Christmas Eve, Hong Kong audiences are invited to explore the captivating soundscape of Piano Sounds from South America, a concert that celebrates the rich diversity of Latin American piano music. Funded by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council’s Emerging Artist Grant, this program brings together folkloric traditions, contemporary innovation, and vibrant rhythmic energy from Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.

christmas eve hk city hall south american piano music

As a pianist and musicologist, my journey into Latin American music began as an academic pursuit but has since blossomed into a lifelong passion. This repertoire offers a kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and cultural expressions that I am eager to share with audiences worldwide. Through research, recordings, and performances, I aim to spotlight composers who deserve wider recognition for their extraordinary contributions to the classical music canon.

This concert program features some of the most compelling works from South America. From Peru, the evocative Ccantu by Jimmy López and Tres piezas para piano by Sadiel Cuentas, founder of Musicantes, invite listeners into a world of Andean imagery and innovation. The Siete Suites del Perú Profundo and Paco Yunque by Francisco Pulgar-Vidal delve deeply into the essence of Peruvian identity and heritage.

Ecuadorian gems like Luis Humberto Salgado’s Rapsodia ecuatoriana No. 3 and Blanca Layana Gómez’s Miniaturas descriptivas reflect their nation’s folkloric richness, offering a contrast of lively rhythms and introspective beauty. Brazil’s contribution to the evening includes Mozart Camargo Guarnieri’s lively Dança Negra, Cacilda Campos Borges Barbosa’s intricate Estudo brasileiro, João Octaviano Gonçalves’s playful Brinquedos de Natal, Peças infantis, and the explosive Frevo by Marlos Nobre.

Marlos Nobre: Frevo

What makes this program particularly special for me is how these works transcend regional boundaries while staying deeply rooted in their cultural origins. Every piece offers a story—a journey into the soul of South America’s musical traditions.

The evening is a culmination of my ongoing efforts to connect audiences with lesser-known works of profound beauty. Having had the privilege of presenting Peruvian music in Lima earlier this year, I am thrilled to bring this celebration of South American sounds back to my home city.

Join me this Christmas Eve at the Hong Kong City Hall Recital Hall for an unforgettable night of discovery, rhythm, and melody. Together, let’s uncover the treasures of South American piano music.