Renowned Pianist Mr. Kong Xiangdong

As one of the most renowned and vibrant Chinese pianists in the international classical music world today, Kong Xiangdong has won numerus international awards and honors, including the Bronze Award of the 8th Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition; the Fourth Award and the "Young Genius Award" of the Santandel International Piano Competition in Spain; the Gold Medal Award of the Gina Bacauer International Competition in the United States; the Gold Medal Award and four special awards of the Sydney International Competition in Australia.

Kong has also served as a judge of the Gina Bacaul International Piano Competition in the United States, the Sydney International Piano Competition in Australia, the São Paulo Villa Robles International Piano Competition in Brazil, and the Hachaturian International Piano Competition. Graduated from the Affiliated Middle School of Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Curtis Conservatory of Music in Philadelphia, USA. Kong was under the guidance of Mr. Zhang Yongqing, Professor Jin Dishan, Professor Fan Dalei, Dr. Paul C. Pollei and Professor Claude Frank, the master of the Vienna classical school.

Invited by the Austrian Ministry of Culture, Kong is the first Chinese musician playing recital at the Wiener Musikvereins. Same remarkable records in China's Piano history that Kong broke also involved like the first Chinese pianist to play in the Hollywood Bowl; the first pianist in Asia signing with BMG/RCA Records; the first pianist and organizer playing at a large-scale concert in the roof of the world (Lasa, Tibet); the first pianist as the "cultural ambassador of Asia and China" to perform at the historic Sino-Korean diplomatic conference in South Korea; the first pianist who directed 35 overseas Chinese Soloists touring in China and programmed 'Cheer for China!", a large-scale Chinese firework concert at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Audiences in more than 40 countries have experienced Kong's passionate performances. Kong's concert footprints enchoed from Lincoln Art Center in New York, the Hejing Concert Hall in Amsterdam, the Ambassador Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Santoly Concert Hall in Tokyo, and the Sydney Opera House. As Western media praised, 'where there is Kong Xiangdong, there is wonderful music, and he conquers every audience with unparalleled musical charm', Kong always prepared to challenge recognized standards, but he is also proficient in impressionist skills. 'He is a very gifted pianist who combines a thinker and a player.'

As a pianist, Kong not only enjoys an indelible reputation in the field of classical music, but also has set an unprecedented milestone in Chinese music education, music popularization and music creation. He founded Kong Xiangdong Music Institution, and was appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF and Vice President of China Special Arts Association. In terms of humanistic spirit transmission, art promotion and harmony, art public welfare integration, and music art healing, he has spared no effort. Do your best. He participated in the creation and production of the song "Love You for Ten Thousand Years" and the 2008 Beijing Olympic song "Friends Forever!" Forever Friends! It is already a classic in Chinese songs.

著名钢琴家孔祥东先生

作为当今国际古典乐坛最优秀、最活跃的中国钢琴艺术家之一，孔祥东曾囊括多个国际大奖和荣誉，第八届柴可夫斯基国际钢琴比赛铜奖；西班牙桑坦德尔国际钢琴比赛第四大奖及"年轻天才奖"；美国吉纳·巴考尔国际大赛金牌大奖；澳大利亚悉尼国际比赛金牌大奖及四项特别奖等。

孔祥东先后担任了美国吉纳·巴考尔国际钢琴大赛、澳大利亚悉尼国际钢琴比赛、巴西圣保罗·维拉罗伯斯国际钢琴比赛、哈恰图良国际钢琴比赛的评委。他毕业于上海音乐学院附中、美国费城柯蒂斯音乐学院。师从张永清老师、金迪善教授、范大雷教授、Dr. Paul C. Pollei 以及维也纳古典学派大师 Claude Frank 教授。

孔祥东是首位应奥地利文化部邀请在维也纳金色大厅举办钢琴独奏音乐会的中国音乐家；首位在好莱坞露天剧场演奏的中国钢琴家；亚洲第一位与BMG/RCA唱片公司签约合作的钢琴家；首位在世界屋脊西藏拉萨举行大型音乐会的钢琴艺术家；首位以"亚洲及中国的文化大使"身份在韩国举行历史性的中韩建交音乐会的钢琴家；第一位组织了由35位旅美音乐家组成的"海外中国名家演奏团"在上海、北京举办多场音乐会的钢琴家；参与策划了在洛杉矶碗形露天剧场举办的大型中国歌舞音乐烟花晚会"为中国喝彩"。

全世界已有40多个国家的观众亲身感受过他那激情洋溢的演奏。不论是在纽约林肯艺术中心、阿姆斯特丹的荷京音乐厅、洛杉矶的大使音乐厅、东京的山托利音乐厅、还是悉尼歌剧院，有孔祥东的地方就有美妙的音乐，他以无可比拟的音乐魅力征服了每一个观众。西方媒体曾评价"孔祥东是一个具有个性的钢琴家，他敢于向公认的标准挑战，但他同时又精通印象派的技巧。他是一个极赋天资的、集思想者与演奏家为一身的钢琴家"。

孔祥东是著名的孔祥东音乐机构创办者，作为钢琴家的他不仅在钢琴演奏领域享有不可磨灭的声誉，他更为中国音乐教育、音乐普及、音乐创作建起了独树一帜史无前例的里程碑。在人文精神传递、艺术促进和谐、艺术公益融合、音乐艺术疗愈方面，他更是不遗余力竭尽所能。担任联合国儿童基金会亲善大使、中国特殊艺术协会副会长的孔祥东曾参与创作及制作的歌曲《爱你一万年》、及2008北京奥运歌曲《永远的朋友！Forever Friends！》已是华语歌曲中的经典之作。