Supported by Texas Ballet Theater
made possible by a generous grant from Anne T. & Robert M. Bass
Learn more about Texas Ballet Theater: texasballettheater.org/about/

TIANKUN MA 马天坤
China I 16

2023 Cliburn International Junior Piano Competition and Festival

Quarterfinal Round Recital
Sunday, June 11, 2023
Caruth Auditorium at SMU I Dallas, Texas USA

MOZART Sonata No. 9 in D Major, K. 311 (I)
CHOPIN Mazurka in A Minor, op. 17, no. 4
LIGETI Etude No. 13 “L’escalier du diable”
CHOPIN Polonaise-fantaisie in A-flat Major, op. 61
SANCAN Toccata

About Tiankun Ma
“The beauty of music is closer to the emotion itself than other artistic beauty. It comes from emotion, expresses emotion, and arouses emotion. I want to express my yearning for and pursuit of beautiful things through my performance.”

Tiankun Ma made his recital debut at the Henan Art Center in Zhengzhou in October 2016, at the age of 9. The following Fall, he began attending the Middle School Affiliated to China Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where he has now studied with Yameng Huang for almost six years. He calls himself outgoing, conscientious, and in possession of strong self-control; he’s looking forward to the high-level competition at the Cliburn Junior and the learning opportunities that it will bring. Of classical music’s role in society, Tiankun believes that “the development and popularization of classical music is a symbol of the civilization of a nation and a city.” In addition to reading and sports, his musical curiosity leads him to explore operatic, symphonic, and chamber works in his spare time.