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Having established itself as one of Hong Kong's leading orchestras, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong will give a concert of tango music in January.
The concert, "Tango!", will be at 8pm on Saturday, January 13, 2007, at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Under the baton of guest conductor German Augusto Gutierrez, the orchestra will join internationally renowned bandoneon player Daniel Binelli and pianist Polly Ferman to play an array of works by the late Astor Piazzolla, including "Tangazo"; Concerto for Bandoneon & Chamber Orchestra; "Invierno and Verano Porteno" for Piano and Strings; "Fracanapa"; "Buenos Aires Hora O
Libertango"; "Milonga del Angel" and "Adios Nonino".
The bandoneon was developed by Heinrich Band in 1854 as an improvement on the accordion. It was originally used as a substitute for the organ in church. Around 1890 it made its way from Germany to Argentina and became an indispensable part of tango music due to its deep and expressive tone.
Having performed on tour with Astor Piazzolla, Daniel Binelli is considered the leading expert of Piazzolla's music. His solo engagements include appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Calgary Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Argentina, the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed frequently with the famed Osvaldo Pugliese Orchestra and with jazz and contemporary music greats such as Paquito de Rivera, Lalo Schifrin, Michael Brecker, Gary Burton and the Dizzy Gillespie Orchestra. Binelli is a founding member of the widely sucessful "Orchestango" and "TangoMetropolis", which recently toured Japan, France, Germany, Portugal and Australia. His numerous recordings include one featuring Piazzolla's concerto for guitar and bandoneon with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra conducted by Charles Dutoit.
The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK) is renowned for its innovative approach to classical music programming. Comprising professional musicians resident in Hong Kong, the orchestra specialises in performing small and intimate works for orchestra including Baroque to contemporary works. Its members come from Hong Kong, China, Russia, England, Czech Republic, Australia, America, Korea, Japan and the Philippines.
Since its inception in 1999, the orchestra has given regular concerts with distinguished local and international artists, including Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri, legendary British baritone Sir Thomas Allen, French saxophonist Claude Delangle, Chinese pianist Kong Xiangdong, Hong Kong actor Jim Chim, British clarinet prodigy Julian Bliss and the Scottish folk group, The Whistlebinkies. In 2003 the CCOHK was the recipient of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council "Rising Artist Award" in music.
"Tango!" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $180, $120 and $80 are now available at URBTIX outlets, while senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients may have 50% off (limited quotas for student and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount applies to Friends of LCSD performing venues.
For enquiries about the programmes, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations 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/Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 10:00
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