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Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the local renowned China Philharmonic Orchestra will meet audience in a concert to be held at 8pm on April 14 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.

Under the baton of its Music Director Lim Hek-han, the Orchestra will perform Schubert's "Overture: Rosamunde" and Zhang Qingping's "Harvest Celebration". Lim will also be featured as solo violinist to perform Beethoven's "Romance No. 2 in F, Op. 50" and Saint-Saens' "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28" during the concert. Another highlight of the concert will be a 120-member choir, composed of The Contacore Society, The Pro-Musica Society of Hong Kong, BEL CANTO CHORUS, the Spring Chorus and Commusichor, together with four local vocalists, namely Chan Lai-chun (Soprano), Cecilia Chu (Mezzo-soprano), David Lui (Tenor) and Jimmy Chan (Bass) to feature Beethoven's monumental "Ode to Joy".

Founded by Lim Kek-han in 1977 namely Lim Kek Han Philharmonic Orchestra with he himself as the music Director and Principal Conductor, the Orchestra has renamed as China Philharmonic Orchestra in 1997. The Orchestra has held a number of concerts for years and brought music of different kinds, including Western and Chinese works, to the audience. Famous soloists and guest conductors have been invited from China and overseas to perform with the Orchestra. The Orchestra works hard to introduce to the audience of Hong Kong Chinese music re-arranged in modern style and has held numerous Chinese music concerts.

Lim Kek Han was born in Indonesia of Chinese parentage. He began violin lessons under renowned Russian teacher Ywan Federoff and Dutch teacher Frits Hinse at the age of six. In 1958, he went to the then USSR as a representative of China and performed with the best-known orchestras there. In 1963, he was made the Conductor and Music Director of the Central Radio Symphony Orchestra. Lim has resided in Hong Kong since 1971 and has been well known as one of the local foremost conductors and violinists. He has made a great deal of effort in introducing traditional Chinese tune, arranged in a modern idiom, to the audience of Hong Kong.

Tickets priced at $140, $100 and $70 are now available at all URBTIX outlets with half price concessions for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistant Recipients (Limited student and CSSA tickets are available on a first-come-first-served basis). A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2734 2935 while ticketing enquiries and reservation on 2734 9009.

End/ Tuesday, March 20, 2001

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