Monday, September 11, 2023
12 PM
Malvyn Lai, 18 years old, began his piano studies at age 5 and currently studies with Prof. Ning An. At age 10, he made his orchestral debut with the Kostroma Symphony Orchestra in Russia. He has since performed with the Danube Symphony in Budapest, Hungary, Toruń Symphony Orchestra in Poland, Culver City Symphony in California, Grossmont College Symphony in San Diego, and Concert Festival Orchestra in Long Island, NY. He also received the honor of performing with the Temecula Valley Symphony three times from 2015–2017 as the winner of their Young Artist Competition.
Malvyn has won many awards and scholarships. His recent competition accomplishments include: 2021 National YoungArts Foundation Finalist and a Silver medal in Classical Music, 2021 Conrad Bruderer Award and 2022 Fenstermaker Scholar Award given by the San Diego Musical Merit Foundation with a full scholarship to the Aspen Music Festival in 2023, an acceptance to the 2022 The Morningside Music Bridge Festival with a full scholarship at New England Conservatory, Silver prize of the 5th La Palma d’oro Piano Competition in Italy (age 16–36), 2021 Arthur Fraser International Piano Competition Discretionary Award, first place of 2021 Grossmont Music Scholarship Council Competition, The Dr. Milton H. Saier, Sr. Memorial Award and the first place of the 2020 La Jolla Symphony Young Artist Competition, 2020–2023 Chopin Foundation of United States Scholar, first place of the 2021 Southern California Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, first place of the 2020 Walgreens National Concerto Competition in piano, 2020 California Music Center Spotlight Merit Award, 2020 Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition For Young Pianists, top winner of 2022 The Nextgen International Piano Competition, first place in the 2019 OC International Steinway & Sons Competition, first place in the 2019 Parness Young Artist Competition, second place in the 2019 Lee Piano Festival Competition, first place in the Southern California Regional CAPMT Concerto competition, first place in the Statewide Steinway & Sons Young Artist Piano Competition, and many other scholarships and competitions.
Malvyn’s previous teacher was Dr. Irina Bendetsky who introduced and taught him the strong fundamentals of piano technique. Besides music, Malvyn enjoys playing tennis, swimming, reading, science, and math. He was a three-time American Invitational Mathematics Examination qualifier and 2023 National Merit Scholarship Finalist. He will be attending Stanford University this fall.
Program:
Suite en la Gavotte et six Doubles, Jean-Philippe Rameau
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata," Ludwig van Beethoven
II. Andante con moto
III. Allegro ma non troppo
Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42, Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sonatine, Maurice Ravel
Free concerts at noon every Monday from fall through spring . . . no wonder the Mini-Concerts are the longest-running and one of the most popular classical music series at the library! This series was founded by Glenna Hazleton in 1970 at the Athenaeum, and has been going strong ever since. The concerts feature both local and touring musicians, prize-winning students, university music faculty members, local chamber ensembles. . . and the repertoire also includes jazz, folk and world music. There are no reservations, no tickets . . . just line up at the side door of the Athenaeum before noon. (Donations are always welcome!) Mini-Concerts take place every Monday at noon and last about an hour.
The concerts will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for these events. Doors open at 11:50 a.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. These events will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of each concert.
Masks optional. If you have a fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms, please stay home.