Event details

• Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
• Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, KU campus, Lawrence
• Cost: $17 - $42
• Age limit: All ages

The Lied Center of Kansas presents the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Music Director Michael Stern and joined by special guest, classically trained piano soloist, Kuok-Wai Lio.A major force in the cultural life of Kansas City and beyond, the Kansas City Symphony brings its classical concert series to the Lied Center for a powerful performance of Carl Nielsen’s expertly crafted and colorful Overture to Helios, Felix Mendelssohn’s irresistibly compelling Piano Concerto No. 2 and Gustav Mahler’s majestic and intense Symphony No. 1, Titan.Nineteen year-old piano soloist Kuok-Wai Lio began his piano studies at the age of 5 in Macau, China. In 2006 Lio entered the Curtis Institute of Music studied with renowned pianist Gary Graffman. He has appeared as a soloist with many ensembles including the Hong Kong Philharmonic, Pan Asia, Guangzhou, North Arkansas and Russian symphony orchestras; Macau Chamber Orchestra; and China Philharmonic Orchestra. In March 2007 Lio was the first-prize winner and the youngest competitor in the first international Fulbright Concerto Competition for Pianists. He also won first prize and audience prize in the First International Institute for Young Musicians International Piano Competition in Kansas. In 2004 Lio was invited to perform for the President of China, Hu Jintao, for the fifth anniversary of Macau’s return to China.With a mission to advance and advocate the art of classical music for the enrichment of the community, the Kansas City Symphony aims to connect the hearts and minds of its audience with powerful symphonic music. In addition to its 42 week performance season at home, the orchestra also tours the country, performs outreach concerts and is committed to providing an education series that includes specially programmed youth concerts and workshops for high school students. The KSO also performs music for the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Kansas City Ballet and is featured on the weekly Kansas City Symphony Hour broadcast on the local NPR affiliate.The Kansas City Symphony was founded by R. Crosby Kemper, Jr. in 1982 following the dissolution of the Kansas City Philharmonic. Since then, the ensemble has prospered and released several recordings.Tickets are on sale at the Lied Center Ticket Office (785-864-2787 voice or 785-864-2777/TDD), the University Theatre Ticket Office-Murphy Hall (785-864-3982), SUA Office Kansas Union (785-864-SHOW), and online at www.lied.ku.edu. All seats are reserved. Ticket prices are: adult $42; KU, Haskell students/children (child: 0-18 years of age) $21. Other discounts may apply: please contact the ticket office for details. All orders may be made using MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover.