Adrian Anantawan in Concert with Nicholas McCarthy Introduction

Accessing the essence of music, breaking down inner barriers

“Disability shifts when you give people the right tools to overcome challenges.” With his can-do outlook, Adrian Anantawan who was born without a right hand, has powered ahead to establish a highly successful career as a violinist. The accomplished Canadian musician, of Chinese and Thai descent, discovered his passion for the violin at the age of nine, gripping the bow with the help of a tailor-made prosthesis. He hasn’t looked back since, going on to perform at many high-profile venues and events, including the White House and the Opening Ceremonies of the Athens and Vancouver Olympic Games.

For this programme, Anantawan will be joined by the British classical pianist Nicholas McCarthy, the sole left-handonly pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music since its founding in 1882. A familiar name to “No Limits” audiences, the live concert will mark McCarthy’s third appearance, following masterclasses at the 2021 edition, and his pre-recorded performance with the Manchester Camerata in 2022.

The line-up will see Anantawan and McCarthy take turns to perform pieces by Bach and Scriabin, while the duo join forces to play well-known works by Sadie Harrison, Mozart, Massenet and Malcolm Arnold. A powerful new opus commissioned by “No Limits” from US composer and performer Molly Joyce, will also receive its world premiere. Joyce, whose left hand was permanently damaged from a car accident when she was a child, draws inspiration for composing and performing from her disability. An evening that opens up a world of possibilities.

Concert Details

• Adrian Anantawan in Concert with Nicholas McCarthy
• Date: March 30, 2023
• Time: 20:00
• Venue: Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall
• Address: 5 Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong

Ticket Details

• Ticketing site: Urbtix
• Price: HKD 100 / 60

Remark

• House programme in audio format will be available
• Approx. 1 hr 15 mins with no interval
• Recommended for ages 6 and above

Programmes

Bach

Excerpts from Violin Partita No 3 in E Major, BWV 1006

III. Gavotte en Rondeau

VII. Gigue

Scriabin

Prelude and Nocturne for the Left Hand, Op 9-2

Sadie Harrison

I Shan’t Be Gone Long

Mozart

Sonata No 21 in E Minor, K 304

“Allegro”

“Tempo di Menuetto”

Molly Joyce

The Myth of More

Massenet

Méditation from Thaïs

Malcolm Arnold

Five Pieces for Violin and Piano, Op 84

About the Artist

Adrian Anantawan

Canadian violinist Adrian Anantawan began studying violin at the age of nine. He has performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and at the residence of the US President in Washington, DC. He is an alumnus of the Etobicoke School of the Arts in Canada, Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Yale University and Harvard Graduate School of Education. Growing up in the neighbourhood of Clarkson, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, he attended St Christopher’s Elementary School, and is a member of the St Christopher’s Church Parish. He is currently a member of the Anne-Sophie Mutter Foundation, Chair of Music at Milton Academy, and Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston.

Nicholas McCarthy

McCarthy is the first left-hand-only pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in London. He has performed extensively around the world, receiving critical acclaim on both recital tours and with major orchestras. One of his proudest moments was performing at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games in front of 86,000 people and half a billion viewers worldwide. He is committed to encouraging new audiences for classical music and to working with young people through music education. In addition to his concert career, Nicholas is one of Europe’s most indemand corporate speakers and regularly delivers keynote talks to the world’s leading businesses and institutions.

The source of the above information: No Limits's official website