International Chopin Competition Gold Medallist
Eric Lu Makes HK Phil Debut
Led by Lio Kuokman in Hong Kong and Chengdu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: 
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing 
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org 

Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org

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[19 August 2026, Hong Kong] Under the baton of its Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) will perform alongside Eric Lu, Gold Medallist of the International Chopin Piano Competition, in Hong Kong and Chengdu on 9 and 12 September 2026 respectively. Tickets are now on public sale.

Eric Lu Plays Chopin (9 September, Hong Kong)

Described by The Guardian as “a true artist”, Eric Lu won First Prize at the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition 2025 in Warsaw, having previously come to international attention by winning the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018 at the age of 20. For his debut with the HK Phil, he will present Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1, illuminating its lyricism and youthful ardour with his poetic voice.

Conducted by Lio Kuokman, the concert opens with the world premiere of Waltz of the Rolling Giants, a new work by Chinese composer Yao Chen, commissioned by the HK Phil especially for the orchestra’s China and international tours in the 2026/27 season. The concert concludes with Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919), bringing the performance to a grand climax with its orchestral grandeur and dramatic energy.

“Eric Lu Plays Chopin” will be held on 9 September 2026 (Wed) at 7:30PM at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$680, $540, $400 and $260 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu - Lio Kuokman, Eric Lu and HK Phil

(12 September, Chengdu)

Following the Hong Kong performance, the orchestra will travel to Chengdu. This concert is featured as part of “Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu”, presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. “Hong Kong Week” is a major cultural extravaganza organised by the LCSD that showcases Hong Kong’s creative excellence and promotes artistic collaboration across regions.

As with the Hong Kong performance, the Chengdu concert will be led by Lio Kuokman and will open with Yao Chen’s Waltz of the Rolling Giants, inspired by Sichuan’s giant pandas as a warm musical greeting to the Chengdu audience. Following Eric Lu’s performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto no. 1, the HK Phil will close the evening with Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite (1919 version).

“Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu - Lio Kuokman, Eric Lu and HK Phil” will be held on 12 September 2026 (Sat) at 7:30PM at the Chengdu City Concert Hall. Tickets priced at RMB¥1,080, ¥880, ¥580, ¥380, ¥280 and ¥180 are available at DAMAI.

In addition to the performance, the HK Phil will participate in two outreach and exchange activities on 11 September 2026 (Fri): a piano masterclass with Eric Lu for students at the Middle School affiliated to the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, as well as a meet-and-greet session with Lio Kuokman and HK Phil musicians to engage with local music lovers. The execution of concert and outreach activities is supported by Hongxing Media (Chengdu) Co., Ltd.

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Artists

Lio Kuokman, conductor [full description]

Currently Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, Programme Director of the Macao International Music Festival, Chief Conductor of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Partner of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, Lio Kuokman was praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “a startling conducting talent”. He was the Second Prize winner of the Third Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris with Audience Prize and Orchestra Prize, and he has served as the first Chinese Assistant Conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Eric Lu, piano [full description]

Eric Lu is the First Prize winner of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition 2025 in Warsaw. Before that he had won First Prize at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018 at the age of 20. Eric’s always thoughtful, poetically imbued and powerful interpretations have already made him one of the most distinctive artists on the international music scene.

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Eric Lu Plays Chopin

9 | 9 | 2026

WED 7:30PM

Hong Kong Culture Centre Concert Hall

HK$680 $540 $400 $260

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Hong Kong Week 2026@Chengdu - Lio Kuokman, Eric Lu and HK Phil

12 | 9 | 2026

SAT 7:30pm

Chengdu City Concert Hall

RMB¥1,080 ¥880 ¥580 ¥380 ¥280 ¥180

Tickets now available at DAMAI

Artists

Programme