Who needs the Olympics? Keyboard Concerts brings a different kind of gold medalist to Fresno. You can win a pair of tickets.

February 5, 2026

By Manjot Dhanda

Fresno audiences will get a chance to hear a gold medalist perform this Friday as part of the Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts series.

Aristo Sham will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Fresno State Concert Hall. Known for his precision and musical clarity, Sham has quickly gained attention. Last year, he won the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which is one of the world’s most prestigious piano competitions.

His appearance in Fresno marks a terrific opportunity for local audiences to hear a young artist who has quickly risen quickly in the classical music world. Since winning the competition, Sham said his career has accelerated in ways that align with his interests.

You can win a pair of tickets to Aristo Sham’s performance with Keyboard Concerts. Leave a comment on this post saying you’d like the tickets. Deadline to enter is 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6. Winners will be picked at that time. Watch your email Friday morning to see if you’re a winner.

“Outside of piano, I really love to travel,” Sham said in a phone interview earlier this week. “After winning, I’ve been traveling much more, so it’s been amazing to be able to do two things I love at the same time.”

Born in Hong Kong, the 29-year-old pianist began performing at a young age and later studied at Harvard University as an economics major. This is where he balanced intensive musical training with academic studies. His rise on the international stage has positioned him as one of the most promising pianists of his generation. During the recent phone interview, Sham came across as very warm and conversational. He was eager to chat and reflect on his experiences rather than rushing through answers, which made for a very pleasant conversation.

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The Van Cliburn Competition is held every four years and is considered a major defining point for many elite pianists. Past winners have gone on to perform in major concert halls around the world. Winning the competition places Sham among top musicians recognized for both technical mastery and artistic interpretation.

Andreas Werz, artistic director of the Philip Lorenz International Keyboard Concerts, said Sham’s appearance is a rare opportunity for the region. “It is an absolute privilege for Fresno State and the entire region to be able to present the winner of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, one of the three most respected piano competitions in the world (the other two being the Chopin in Warsaw and the Tchaikovsky in Moscow). This success has given Aristo Sham the opportunity to significantly enrich with his unique talent the classical music world in the future.”

Sham’s program in Fresno is expected to showcase his refinement and expressive range. The New York Times has praised his playing for its “clarity, elegance, and abundant technique,” helping him gain attention around the globe in a short period of time.

For his performance, Sham will present a program featuring works by Bach/Busoni, Brahms/Busoni and Chopin/Busoni, including the Chaconne in D minor and Six Chorale Preludes. The concert will also include sections from Brahms’ Klavierstücke and his Sonata in C Major. This gives the audience a chance to hear Sham’s technical virtuosity and lyrical expression.

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Sham also hopes events like this can help make classical music feel more approachable for younger audiences who may feel scared or intimidated by the genre.

“Classical music sometimes has this idea that you have to dress a certain way or act a certain way,” Sham said. “But really, it should just be you and the music. There’s no right or wrong way to listen or understand it. It’s just about connecting.”

The concert is part of Fresno’s effort to bring classical music to the local community through the Keyboard Concerts series, which regularly features internationally recognized artists. Tickets are available online at keyboardconcerts.com and there are discounted prices for students.

With Sham’s recent success, Friday’s performance is expected to be one of the standout classical music events in Fresno this year.