Critics laud him for his “white-hot pianism,” “uncanny control” and “extraordinary musical understanding.” That must be why Rufus Choi has captured, among other top honors, first prize at the Jose Iturbi 2007 International Music Competition. A native Californian of Korean heritage, Choi has been pounding the ivories since the age of 4, and is a Juilliard grad who also attained highest honors at Hanover’s prestigious Musik Hochschule. On Sunday, he performs Beethoven’s stirring Eroica Variations, the wildly romantic Busoni version of Bach’s Chaconne in D minor for solo violin, and Mussorgsky’s super-workout, Pictures at an Exhibition.

Sun., Sept. 7, 3 p.m., 2008

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.