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The Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with the internationally-renowned violinist, Xue Wei, for two concerts in April.
Under the baton of Dr Yip Wai-hong, Xue will play Beethoven's "Violin Concerto in D". The orchestra will also perform Wagner's overture "Tannhauser" and Borodin's "Polovetsian Dances from Prince Igor" under guest conductor Professor Gabriel Leung, and Yip Wai-hong's symphony poem "Breakthrough" under assistant conductor Law Po-kwan.
Described by the UK's Guardian newspaper as "a devastating performer, combining formidable technical prowess with great breadth and variety of expression", Xue Wei received his training at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Central Conservatory of Music and the Guildhall School of Music in London. He was a prizewinner at the 1981 Chinese National Violin Competition, the Carl Flesch International Violin Competition in 1982 and 1986, the Japan International Violin Competition in 1983, and the 8th International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1986, setting a record for most prizes won by a Chinese musician at prestigious international music competitions.
Xue has collaborated with many of the world's most famous orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He often gives music seminars and participates in China's state activities. In 2007, he was with the state delegation on Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Russia, and performed at the closing ceremony of the "Year of China in Russia". He is currently a professor at the Central Conservatory of Music, a supervisor on its Master's degree programme, vice chair of its orchestral instruments department, and a music adviser to the Asian Youth Orchestra.
The Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra was established in 1996. Members, aged from seven to 18, are recruited in highly competitive open auditions and most of the violinists have obtained internationally-recognised diplomas. Trained under the baton of Yip Wing-sie, the orchestra has been invited to perform at various important occasions, including concerts in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, the United States and Canada.
"Xue Wei plays Beethoven" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The concerts will take place at 8pm, April 2 (Saturday), at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, and 3pm, April 3 (Sunday), at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $80, $110 and $140 (Tsuen Wan Town Hall) and $100, $130 and $160 (Hong Kong City Hall) are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients may receive a 50% discount (limited tickets for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20% is offered for group bookings.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Saturday, February 19, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:02
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