New York Concert Review Spring 2009: YCA Concert Series Zenkel Hall at Carnegie Hall
"... Mr. Cheung's performance of his own arrangements [of the Bach's Goldberg Variations] was expressive, sensitive and unpretentious, and left the listeners with the feeling of comfort. The artist created perfect legato by carefully matching the reverberation and decay from one note to the next. ... the Etudes are engaing and communicated with authority. The piece caused a roar of applause and will certainly constitute a precious addition to the standard marimba repertoire."   (read more)

The Washington Times 3/26/2009: Cheung taps classics for marimba concert
In his first-ever Washington solo recital at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater, classical marimbist Pius Cheung, under the auspices of the venerable Young Concert Artists Series, presented an intriguing program Tuesday of largely unknown pieces, all performed on an instrument most people would associate with the jazz repertoire.  (read more)

RedandBlack.com 1/9/2009: Classical Musician showcases eclectic program
Aside from the yarn on his mallets, marimbist Pius Cheung strives for a "no strings attached" performance that entices the ears of his audience. Tonight at Ramsey Concert Hall, Cheung will perform a repertoire of classical and contemporary marimba arrangements that all possess a historical significance. "Even though Pius is considered a classical musician, people will be surprised by the broad spectrum of music he can play. His program is very eclectic," said Bobby Tyler, marketing and media relations director of the Office of Performing Arts.  (read more)

Etude in e minor recorded by Katarzyna Mycka
Etude in e minor, one of the most popular Etudes for solo marimba composed by Pius Cheung, was recorded in "Marimba Classica 2008", the latest CD release of the internationally renowned marimba virtuoso, Katarzyna Mycka.  The CD is produced and distributed by SWR Stuttgart/MONS Records 2008. (related link) (video clip at Mycka's website)

Live improv Pius & Yuki- marimba & piano duo
Pius said: "Playing with Yuki (Kanesaka) is quite an experience. I have never played with anyone and clicked so well. I remember I was bored one day, and just called him up and asked, "Do you want to play?" We got together, we didn't even have to say anything and we just started improvising together. But it sounded like we have rehearsed many times before. We didn't even need to discuss what kind of style, meter, theme, etc. Just started playing, somewhat like talking."  (click here to play sound clips)

Live improv with Aquino Brothers at the 8th International Marimba Festival in Chiapa
Pius & Eriko Daimo were invited as guest artists to perform a marimba duo at the 8th International Marimba Festival, Chiapa Mexico in June 4-9, 2008.  Pius also conducted masterclasses during the festival.  In one of the performance by Aquino Brothers, a well-known local marimba group, Pius was called on stage for a live improvisation with the group and the audience cheered with amaze by the unrehearsed live improv. (see photos)

Pius Cheung's American Radio Debut
The McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase announced the American Radio debut of Pius Cheung, winner of 2008 Young Concert Artists International Audtions, on March 5, 2008 and encores on March 12, 2008. The programs will be aired on 96.3 WQXR-FM Classical Music & New York Times News. (related link)
March 5, 2008 Program:
Bach - Goldberg Variations: Aria and Variations 1-7
Keiko Abe - Variations on Japanese Children's Songs
March 12, 2008 Program:
Two of his own Etudes for Marimba

First Prize Winner - 2008 Young Concert Artists International Auditions
The Young Concert Artists Inc. announced the first prize winners of 2008 Young Concert Artists Inetrnational Audtions are Pius Cheung, marimba and Narek Hakhnazaryan, cello. At the Auditions, Pius Cheung was also awarded the Miriam Brody Aronson Award, the Brownville Concert Series Prize, the Swiss Global Artistic Foundation Award for an engagement in Europe, the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center Prize, and the Usedom (Germany) Music Festival Prize.  (press release) (related link)

Marimba Recital in the 36th Hong Kong Arts Festival
Pius is invited to perform in the Hong Kong Arts Festival on February 22, 2008 at the Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre. In this Marimba Recital, Pius will play a selection of piano masterworks arranged for marimba, pieces by Keiko Abe, Zhou Tian as well as his own compositions. All tickets for the first concert are sold out and an additional concert is scheduled on February 24, 2008. (related link)

The 5th World Marimba Competition Stuttgart 2008
Pius' composition Etude in e minor is selected as part of the repertoire for the second round of the 5th World Marimba Competition Stuttgart 2008 to be held on September 20-28, 2008.  (related link)

1st Prize Winner Three Preludes for Solo Marimba Premiered
The Classical Marimba League announced Pius Cheung as 2007 Composition Competition 1st prize winner of the Romantic category.  Pius wrote Three Preludes for Solo Marimba (C major, c minor & Db major).  (related link)  The 1st prize winner compositions: Etude in C major, Etude in c minor and Etude in Db Major are premiered by Prof. Eric Hollenbeck, Colorado State University in his faculty recital on February 4, 2008.

Audiophil Audition CD Review - Goldberg Variations (for solo marimba)
John Sunier of Audiophile Audition wrote in his Classical CD Review on Pius' Goldberg Variations - "An excellent alternative to the usual keyboard version of this Bach masterpiece. As Charles Ives would have said, "A real ear-stretcher."" (related link)

PAS Percussive Notes CD Review - Goldberg Variations (for solo marimba)
"Absolutely incredible!...." wrote F. Michael Combs in his latest review of Pius' Goldberg Variations CD in the February 2007 Issue of Percussive Notes, a Percussive Arts Society's Publication. To view the complete CD review, please see Percussive Notes - February 2007 Issue (P. 80) (Membership required) (related link)

Goldberg Variations (for solo marimba) CD Aired
Adeline Sire of The World, a co-production of BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston, met with Pius Cheung who talked about playing keyboard masterpieces on the marimba. Adeline's report in The World's Global Hit was aired by PRI's network of public radio stations on January 1, 2007. (related link)