Saturday August 26, 7 pm in Iowa City, IA
Sunday August 27, 2 pm in Coralville, IA
Sixteen-year-old Iowa-born piano prodigy Charlie Liu will give two distinct benefit solo recitals on Saturday, August 26 at 7 pm in the First United Methodist Church (214 E Jefferson St, Iowa City), and Sunday August 27 at 2 pm in the Coralville Center for Performance Arts (1301 5th Street, Coralville). Proceeds will benefit University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital through the University of Iowa Foundation, and Iowa-based The Preemie Project equally.
Lauded for his “special approach to sound” and the first and only pianist to have won every prize awarded in the same Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, Charlie Liu has won more top prizes in the renowned International and National junior piano competitions held in the USA than anyone else since 2015, including First Prizes in the David Dubois Piano Competition and Thousand Islands International Piano Competition, Second Prizes in the MostArts Festival and Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition, and Third Prize in the 7th Yamaha USASU International Piano Competition. A seven-time 1st place winner in the New Jersey and Massachusetts Music Teacher Associations, he has soloed with orchestras in four different states.
Liu has performed in venues all over the USA, setting a record of performing in all three concert halls inside the world-famous Carnegie Hall at only age 8. He remains the youngest ever Lang Lang International Music Foundation Scholarship winner. Liu has been invited to perform on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as for luminaries such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Bono of U2, Hugh Jackman, among others.
However, few know that Liu was born a 7.5 weeks preemie and spent a month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the UI Children’s Hospital before he was released home. Liu knows first hand of the struggles preemies and their families face in life. As a result, his first benefit solo recital in NJ at age 9 raised funds for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Now, after successfully helping out many self-initiated and other charity/fundraising events, including 3 benefit solo recitals that raised $6000+ for nonprofits, Liu is coming to Iowa for the first time since infancy to give two unique, world-class piano concerts to the Iowans and for the Iowans.
The first concert in the First United Methodist Church on Saturday August 26 at 7 pm will feature a variety of the most popular and beautiful classical pieces from composers like Bach and Schubert, along with some of the more serious and exciting classical pieces such as the Chopin and Beethoven Sonatas. It will be the perfect introduction to the beauty and depth of classical music for anyone interested in any music. Admission is free with recommended donation of $20 ($10 for 17 and under). More details at http://goo.gl/JRHkKp.
The second concert in Coralville Center for Performance Arts (CCPA) on Sunday August 27 at 2 pm will be comprised of mainly Liu’s International Piano Competition repertoire and complemented with select pieces from his “Live, Dream, Love” CD. It features an extensive selection of compositions by Bach, Marcello, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Schubert and Tchaikovsky, ranging from the beautiful, singing Prelude & Fugue in E flat Minor by Bach, to the tumultuous and passionate “Appassionata” by Beethoven, and the dazzling, virtuosic Transcendental Etude No. 4 “Mazeppa” by Liszt. With an imposing solo repertoire played by a top junior pianist on a beautiful Steinway D inside the gorgeous CCPA concert hall, this concert will be a special treat to all classical music enthusiasts! After the concert Liu will be available for a special meet-n-greet for the VIP ticket holders. Tickets start at $15/$25 and are on sale at website (shortened URL: https://goo.gl/eRXGHX) and box office of CCPA. More detail about the event at https://goo.gl/z8E4qy
The concerts are in part sponsored by Liu’s own “Rescue Music Foundation” (http://rescuemusic.org), whose mission is to provide financial help and guidance to allow more young musicians do what Liu is doing now --- using musical talent to spread the love of music, inspire and give back to the community. Liu’s successful fundraiser solo recital this past July raised over $2700 for startup funds that will help maximize the donations to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and The Preemie Project.
Further information regarding the events and the artist can be obtained by emailing charliepianist@gmail.com or at http://charlie-liu.com. Please come enjoy the wonderful classical musical while supporting the critical community services for the Iowans!
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital has been committed to improving the health and well-being of children in the state and surrounding region for nearly 90 years. Today, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital is a nationally recognized pediatric center of excellence, providing comprehensive health-care services for children of all ages. As part of an academic medical center, UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital also performs ground breaking research to help solve the mysteries of childhood diseases, in addition to training the next generation of health-care professionals.
The Preemie Project
The Preemie Project seeks to provide comfort and support to critically ill infants and their families in Newborn Intensive Care Units in Iowa. We achieve our mission through the support of a devoted group of local and national volunteers.
