Fresh from his Cliburn win, Sham says music can bridge divides as he tours the US amid geopolitical tensions and decoupling debate
At 28, fresh from a landmark international competition victory, Sham is building a global career where his music often speaks louder than diplomacy.
On Wednesday, just before stepping onto the stage at the US capital’s Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium for a Year of the Horse recital, he spoke with the South China Morning Post about the role of music in a divided world.
“Music transcends language, cultures, borders, and really connects people on such a deep level,” he said. “Given everything that’s happening right now, this is such a great opportunity to show people that we are all the same.”
Sham opened the evening with a programme spanning classical masterpieces to contemporary works, including the world premiere of Hong Kong composer Elliot Leung’s “Neon Mural”.
“I feel privileged to be both an ambassador for Hong Kong’s culture and also for classical music itself,” he said. “Music gives people an experience they cannot otherwise have through other media.”
