The Observer, September 2, 2005
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1
Talented pianist does everything from Mozart to Mario
If you go to Case it is likely you know the theme songs to Sonic the Hedgehog, Zelda, Halo 2, Mario and numerous other videogames. But how many of you could arrange and play those songs? On the piano. No sheet music. Blindfolded. There is a student on the Case campus that has mastered this technique and is known to many as the Video Game Pianist. From Mozart to Mario, Martin Leung has a variety of music in his repertoire.
This second-year student is currently studying piano at CIM. Leung is a native of Irvine, California where he grew up with his sister, who now attends UC Irvine studying medicine and music; mother, who stays at home taking care of the house, and father, who teaches physics at Cal State Long Beach. Leung's parents realized his talent when he was able to play back many pieces of music that his sister had just played, when he was only four years old. At this young age Leung was not only able to repeat the music but also began improvising the tunes that he heard. It began with traditional, classical pieces that any beginner learned and has recently evolved into theme songs as well. Leung began playing his own arrangements of video game themes just over a year ago, but he has become a sensation.
This September will mark Leung's encore performance to his concert from last October here at Case. He is known throughout the Case campus and across the nation through his online videos. The internet is how Tommy Tallarico, who is thought to be one of the most successful video game composers in history, discovered Leung. Tallarico invited him to perform at the Game Developers Conference in March of 2005, which was Leung's first ever live performance of video game music. He has also played at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Video Games Live North American Tour 2005, which had a crowd of 11,000 people. Leung was featured in CIM's recent "Pianofest," and continues to play with the Young Artists Guild in California. These concerts, along with multiple awards including the 2004 Los Angeles Philharmonic Bronislaw Kaper Awards for Young Artists as well as the Rodestsky and AMRON Jefferson Memorial Scholarships of 2004, have contributed to Leung's success.
In this upcoming concert, the audience should expect music from Final Fantasy, Zelda, Halo 2, Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario, along with some classical music for variety. When asked his goals for these performances, Leung replied, "I believe that video game music will create a 'bridge' between popular music and classical music." This sophomore just tries to be himself, and is attempting to popularize both video game music as well as classical music. Leung is enthusiastic about the future, stating he would "give as many concerts as the students of Case want!" But don't count him out for other competitions and performances; this talented man was also the 2004 Orange County High School and Southern California High School Chess Champion.
