SAN FRANCSCO, CA-- The SF Symphony  announced to the press that pianist Bruce Liu. winner of the 2021 Chopin International Competition in Warsaw. will join conductor Rafael Payare and and the San Francisco Symphony to perform Ludwig van Beethoven 's Piano concerto No. 3 in May 11-13, to replace violinist Hilary Hahn who will be unable to perform in this performances. Violinist Hahn, was was scheduled to play Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto, is unwell and regretfully unable to perform on this week's program.

Liu's performances, which mark his San Francisco Symphony Orchestra Series debut, will come a week before his nearly sold-out New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall on May 19.

 Patrons who already purchased tickets for the May 11-13 concerts do not need to do anything; tickets and seat location will be honored. For assistance with tickets contact the Box Office of the SF Symphony by phone at 415,864-6000, or send an email at patron services@sfsymphony.org. They can also go in person at the Davies Symphony Hall Box Office, on Grove between Van Ness Avenue and Franklin Street, in San Francisco.

Since winning First Prize at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition in 2021, Bruce Liu has toured the world, appearing at the Theatre des Camps- Elyse in Paris, Royal Festival Hall, with the Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Konzerthaus, in BOZAR Brussels, Tokyo Opera City and Sala Säo Paulo. Orchestral appearances also include the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.

In the 2022-2023 seasons, Liu's orchestral appearances include performances with the Montreal Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and Vienna Symphony at the Musikverein, and he has upcoming engagements with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. His festival appearances include La Roque d' Anthéron, Klavier Festival Ruhr, Rheingau, Ediburgh, Chopin and his Europe, Dusznikl and Gstaad Menuhin; Past highlights include performances with the Cleveland Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and a tour of North America with the China NCPA Orchestra.

An exclusive Deutsche Gramophone recording artist, Liu's first album, featuring the winning performances from the Chopin Competition, won a Fryderyk Award and received international acclaim including both the Critics' Choice and Editor's Choice in Gramophone magazine, which proclaimed his debut disk as "simply as one of the most distinguished Chopin recital of recent years." They also included it in the list of Best Classical Albums of 20-21 and described Mr. Liu's playing as "evoking Shura Cherkassky and Georges Cziffra in a single breath."

Born in Paris to Chinese parents, Bruce Liu grew up in Montreal. His life has been steeped in cultural diversity which has shaped his difference in attitude, personality, and character. He draws on various sources of inspiration for his art: European refinement, Chinese long traditions, North American dynamism, and openness. Following his artistic path with optimism and a smile. His teachers include: Richard Raymond and Dang Thai Son.

Tickets for the concert may be purchased at: https://www.sfsymphony.org/Buy-Tickets/2022-23/RAFAEL-PAYARE-CONDUCTS-STRAUSS or by calling the San Francisco Symphony box Office at 415 864-6000,