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In December, under the baton of National Class One Conductor Qu Chunquan, the Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra will perform a concert in memory of erhu virtuoso Liu Tianhua on the 115th anniversary of his birth.
The programme comprises a wide range of Liu Tianhua's works, including: "Variation Sin Shui Ling", "A Beautiful Night", "The Way to Brightness", "Moonlit Night", "A Song in Depression", "The Song of Sorrow", "Meditations in Retirement", "Song of Birds in a Desolate Mountain", "Melody on a Single String", "Red Decorations in Candle Lights", "Singing and Dancing", "The Sound of the Void", and two pieces newly arranged by Qu Chunquan - "Meditation during Confinement in Sickness" (Hong Kong Premiere) and "Progress March" (World Premier).
Also performing in next month's concert will be Ching Sau-wing, Wang Fangliang, Zhang Zunlian (erhu) and Yin Yuwen (pipa).
Qu Chunquan is an internationally renowned conductor and composer, and was formerly Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Conductors' Association and Principal Conductor of the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. At present he is Principal Conductor of the Fo-Guang-Shan "Sounds of the Human World" Chinese Orchestra and Artistic Adviser to the Taipei Chinese Orchestra. His many engagements include guest-conducting orchestras around the world and adjudicating at various international music competitions. He has received many awards for his outstanding achievements, performances and compositions from the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Radio and Television (now the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television), and the City of Shanghai.
Established in 1994, the Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra has since made great efforts to promote Chinese culture, to enhance the development of Chinese music in the territory, and to foster exchange activities between local and overseas music circles. In 1997, the orchestra staged "The Love for Our Motherland" concert in celebration of Hong Kong's reunification with the Mainland. In 2000, a series of five concerts and 11 seminars were organised under the title "A Retrospective Look at Chinese Music in the Twentieth Century". As the first of its kind in the realm of Chinese music, the programme attracted great interest in music circles on the Mainland and overseas. It is widely recognised as a highly promising Chinese orchestra.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the concert by the Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra will be at 8pm on December 26 (Sunday), at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $110, $140 and $160 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients. (Limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.) Please refer to programme leaflets for details of the group booking discount.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone booking, call 2111 5999; for Internet booking, visit www.urbtix.hk ; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp .
Ends/Friday, November 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 11:55
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