The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Go Festive

It’s that time of the year again where Christmas decorations are not only displayed in the comfort of peoples homes, but also out and about the city. We all know that Christmas would not be complete without the abundance of carols. You know it’s the festive season once every store in shopping malls play a CD consisting entirely of Christmas songs, many leaning towards the tacky category in terms of arrangement. Why not go for something a little different this year? Harry Wong and The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to attend the two-day concert on December 23^rd and 24^th for a dazzling way to get you into the Christmas spirit if you have not done so already. With a mixture of both orchestral and vocal performances, in which vocal performances call for audience participation, the event will be a fun way to celebrate with the family.

The Sunday 23^rd December concert commences at 4pm with an additional performance in the evening at 7:45pm. The Monday 24^th December concert commences at 7:45pm. All performances will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

Tickets can be purchased at urbtix outlets or purchase tickets online at www.urbtix.hk

For more details of the event, visit: http://www.hkphil.org/eng/concerts_and_ticket/concerts/concertdetail.jsp?id=342

For more information on the orchestra and upcoming concerts, visit their official website at: www.hkphil.org

Get into the Festive Spirit with “The Nutcracker” Ballet

A classic Christmas tale returns to the Hong Kong  stage this December for all families to celebrate the festive season. “The Nutcracker”, composed by Tchaikovsky has proved to be a classic story for all ages to enjoy over the past few decades. Whether if you recognize certain tunes or your favorite characters, there is no reason to tantalize both your eyes and ears for a spectacular production by the Hong Kong Ballet. The music will be performed by the noted Hong Kong Sinfonietta and conducted under the baton of Judith Yan.

A quick sypnosis for those who haven’t yet been exposed to this holiday goodness.

Set on Christmas Eve, where house after house is decorated with Christmas ornaments.  At the annual party of the president, presents are given to his two children. But the most unique of all was from their godfather, a toymaker. A nutcracker carved into a shape of a man and is given as a present to one of the daughters, Clara. Fritz, who is jealous of the present purposely breaks the nutcracker but is repaired by her godfather and falls asleep with the Nutcracker in her arms.

As we all know, all things magical happen at the strike of midnight and Clara finds that everything around her is increasing in size, even the nutcracker. Out of nowhere an army of mice led by the Mouse King appears in attempts to destroy the Nutcracker. Clara is quick to save her precious toy from permanent damage and claim victory. The Nutcracker transforms into a human prince and takes Clara on a journey she will never forget. They encounter enchanted and beautiful creatures as they make their way through the snowy forest.

More peculiar characters appear when they reach their destination at the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy is impressed with Clara and Nutcracker’s bravery and heroism to defeat the Mouse King and celebrate with an array of music and dances.

The ballet ends with a spectacular final dance with Clara and the Nutcracker to conclude the night and bid farewell to the Land of Sweets.

Clara wakes up the next day from her sleep with the Nutcracker in her arms.

The first performance of The Nutcracker will be held on December 14^th 2012 and will run until the 26^th December 2012.  All performances will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and commences at 7:30pm and 2:30pm for weekend matinees.

Tickets can be purchased at all URBTIX outlets or book online now at http://www.urbtix.hk

Visit the Sinfonietta Orchestra website at http://www.hksinfonietta.org for more details of upcoming concerts

Channel your Inner Child and Re-Live Classic Pixar Tunes

Pixar is possibly the most recognized animation film companies and instantly rings familiar bell across all age groups. With blockbuster films including Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, The Incredbles, Up, Monsters Inc, Wall-E, Toy Story and the most recent Brave, it is clear that Pixar continues to entertain movie goers and have a line-up of films in the works.

The intricate and spectacular visual experience is paired with music to treat your ears and this is what the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Nicholas Buc aims to achieve at the end of their two day “Pixar in Concert” performances on Thursday 22 November and Friday 23 November 2012.  Hum along to your favorite themes and see if you can pinpoint the film and scene the music is from, Now that is a true Pixar fan.

We can all thank the several established composers including Michael Giacchino, Randy Newman, Patrick Doyle and Thomas Newman, who came up with the catchy, memorable themes, some of which have been nominated and won awards for their memorable works. Perhaps it is because they were able to catch the mood and tone of the movie so effectively it almost seemed to enhance every emotion you felt. The Ups were higher and the downs were lower. You were definitely not alone when your eyes got watery and had to hold back your tears as much as you could in Toy Story 3, Nemo, Up or Monsters Inc.

The concert is sure to be both fun and moving for all members of the family and you might even leave the hall a bigger Pixar fan than before.

The concert will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre commencing at 8pm on both nights.

Tickets can be purchased at Urbtix outlets or online at www.urbtix.hk

For more information on upcoming concerts visit the orchestra’s official website at www.hkphil.org

Swire Symphony Under The Stars

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor Perry So invites you to the spectacular annual concert “Swire Symphony Under The Stars” on Friday 9 November 2012.  What better place to hold the concert other than the outdoor New Central Harbourfront which overlooks the famous skyline of Hong Kong where you will be completely surrounded by the city’s bright lights and urban sounds. The concert promises to be a memorable and atypical from your usual classical concert.

With a program that essentially covers most musical periods, the night brings you pieces from Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Smetana and Rimsky-Korsakov. The orchestra will then jazz up your night with numbers from American greats such as Bernstein, Gershwin and Adams, an exciting and modern spin to the evening. In other words, there is something for everyone.

If you are feeling extra musical, the orchestra is inviting you to bring along your own instruments and participate in Mozart’s Toy Symphony. Regardless of your grade, ability and age, the performance is sure to get everyone involved and interacting with one another.

The concert starts at 7:30pm but gates will open from 5:30pm onwards so be sure to get there early for a decent view of the stage.

Free tickets can be picked up from Tom Lee outlets upon submitting a brief form. Children under the age of 3 go free.

For further enquiries call +852 2721 2030

To find out about future concert dates visit the orchestra’s official page at http://www.hkphil.org/

 

Unleash The Classical Nerd Within

It’s true that I am a bit of a classical music fan. It can make you relaxed, energized, cry, happy and even make you want to dance and it’s all done without a single word being said. Classical music can have the same kind of impact as your favorite song and whether you like Medieval or Contemporary, there is always something for everyone.

I studied Music at university and I’ve had to listen to a wide range of composers throughout and was exposed to so many composers I’ve never heard of. Funny how people expect you to know a certain piece just because you did a degree in Music and assume you would be able to help them out when they say ” whats this piece again? it goes something like this *hums*”…uhhhhh ok then, if I am the know it all, perhaps you just have bad singing.

I’ve compiled my top 10 favorite composers in no specific order. I’ve also put in a few recommendations if you want to have a listen to something different for a change.

1. Dmitri Shostakovich (Russian) – Symphony No. 4,5, 7 and 10. Gadfly Suite: Romance, Jazz Suite: Waltz No. 2,  Tahiti Trot

2. Antonin Dvorak (Czech) – Symphony No. 8 and 9, Cello Concerto in B Minor, String Quartet No. 12 “American”

3. Ludwig Van Beethoven (German) – Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), 5, 7 and 9, Moonlight Sonata, Sonata for Violin and Piano “Spring”, String Quartet Op. 18 No. 1, Romance for Violin and Orchestra in F Major, Appasionata Sonata, Egmont Overture

4. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Russian) – Swan Lake Ballet, Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Marche Slave, Serenade for Strings in C Major, Symphony No. 5, 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker, String Quartet No. 1

5. Johannes Brahms (German) – Symphony No. 4, Cello Sonata No. 1, Violin Concerto in D Major, Hungarian Dances, Tragic Overture,

6. Frédéric François Chopin (Polish) – Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Prelude No. 4, Mazurka Op. 33 No. 4, Mazurka Op. 63 No.3, Black Keys Etude, Piano Sonata No. 2, Waltz in C-sharp minor Op. 64 No. 2

7. Robert Schumann (German) – String Quartet Op. 41 No. 3, Violin Sonata No. 2 Op. 121, Piano Concerto Op. 54, Fantasy in C,

8. Claude Debussy (French) – Arabesque No. I and II, Nocturnes – Clouds, Festivals, Sirens, La Mer, String Quartet in G minor,

9. Felix Mendelssohn (German) – Italian Symphony, Scottish Symphony, Violin Concerto in E minor Op. 64, A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Overture, Songs Without Words.

10. Gustav Mahler (Austrian) – Symphony 3, 5 and 8, Piano Quartet in A minor,

I do realize that most of these are within the Romantic Period, but music from this era just floats my boat!

 

 

Forget All Your Troubles with Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra’s “Relaxin’ After Work” Concert

“Relaxin’ After Work”, the name really does say it all with Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s After Work Chamber Concert where you can sit back, relax and unwind to classical music after a long days work of hustlin’ and bustlin’ in the city. Performances include works from Debussy, Beethoven and the world premiere of James Cuddeford’s composition “Double Shadow” written for double bass and percussion. The concert is part of the orchestra’s three-week interactive event “ArtisTree” and consists of numerous concerts and workshops where people are welcome to participate and to learn more about the overall concert experience.

Cudderford is currently the concertmaster of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta Orchestra. hailing from Australia, he is one of the most reputable leading musicians today having performed extensively around Australia, Europe and Asia as a violinist in solo performances and chamber groups. Cudderford was also the youngest finalist in the BBC Young Composer of the Year at the age of 15 and had one of his pieces commissioned by the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra. Since then, his compositions have been broadcasted internationally and Cudderford is now a recognized contemporary composer and performer.

Debussy’s Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp was written in 1915 and gave its first performance the following year. Filled with melodies seamlessly intertwining with one another, this was very typical of the French composer and this style is seen in many of his works both small and large scale. The blend and complementation of all instruments brings out a unique timbre, almost fantastical or dream-like in nature, surely to relax the most over-stressed worker.

Beethoven’s Serenade in D for Flute, Violin and Viola was written in 1801 and is one of the few original chamber pieces specifically written for the flute. The piece is overall light-hearted, playful and is definitely easy on the ears guaranteed to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.

The hour long concert will be held on Wednesday September 12 at 7pm and will take place at 1/F Cornwall House, Taikoo Place and is open for all to attend.

For more information on the orchestra, visit their official website at: http://www.hksinfonietta.org/

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Pairs with Yundi Li to kick-start the 2012/13 Season

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra launches their 2012/13 season with invigorating Russian repertoire. The two night event features music from from romantic composer Tchaikovsky and twentieth century composer Shostakovich. Yundi Li will take centre stage where he is sure to leave an impression on the audience with Tchaikovsky’s legendary First Piano Concerto. Under the baton of conductor Vassily Sinaisky, he will lead the orchestra with the performance of Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and the largely historically influenced Symphony No. 9.

Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor first premiered in Russia at the end of the 1875. The piece is championed as being one of the most well-known and widely performed among all piano concerti repertoire. Each of the three movements features memorable motifs, powerful melodies, driving rhythms, complex and broad textures typical of Russian music and the unforgettable grandiose introduction, making this piece one of the most recognized to both classical and non-classical music enthusiasts.

Shostakovich was one of the most prominent Russian composers of the twentieth century, having to live through intensifying political and social conditions, particularly under the rule of Stalin. Known for his sarcastic and to an extent, cynical representations of historical events, he was denounced and many of his compositions were banned from performance, heavily criticized that his music did not glorify Russia and the state.

The Festive Overture was written in 1954 to commemorate the October Revolution of 1917. However, it is said by some critics that due to its lively  nature, the work may have secretly celebrated Stalin’s death in the previous year.

Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major was originally written to celebrate Russian victory over Nazi-German forces in World War II and premiered in November 1945. The composer faced constant pressure of writing a shallow triumphant piece glorifying Stalin’s victory or to reflect the realities of the living conditions suffered by the Russian people. In the end,  Shostakovich opted to represent neither side which resulted in a highly abstract piece consequently leading to its ban from performances a year later due to the lack of ideological values and patriotism.

Pre-concert talks will be held at 7:15pm on 7 September (English) and 8 September (Cantonese) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre where you can find out more about each piece in more detail.

The concert will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on 7 & 8 September at 8pm. Tickets are available at Urbtix outlets or book online at www.urbtix.com