New York City
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The leading professional Chinese instrumental ensemble of the world, the 85-strong Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO), performed to a sold-out house of 2,700 at New York City's Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, on Wednesday, October 12 (US Time).
The concert, presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York and the Hong Kong Association of New York as one of its major cultural highlights, featured modern masterpieces by Chinese composers Tan Dun, Zhao Jiping, and Peng Xiuwen.
The audience greeted every piece with enthusiasm, and cheered the final two works (Tan's FIRE RITUAL and Peng's FANTASIA ON TERRA COTTA WARRIORS), prompting Maestro Yan Huichang to conduct four encores. Standing ovations lasted for all four encores, which set a record for any visiting orchestra from Asia in America at the Lincoln Center.
The spectacular program, which combined the ancient and the avant-garde, has garnered critical acclaim even before the New York concert took place. HKCO, selected to represent Hong Kong in the month-long Kennedy Center Festival of China, had performed in a series of events from educational demonstrations to a highly-acclaimed concert in Washington DC from October 7 to 9.
HKCO's artistic director and principal conductor Yan Hui Chang, who has led the orchestra on many overseas tours since 1997, has been delighted with the audience and critical response. "We have proved that the format of Chinese orchestras has opened ears and attracted music lovers, and as a group we are as excellent and vibrant as ever," he said.
Speaking to some 250 guests at a reception after the concert, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, Miss Jacqueline Willis, said, "Hong Kong is more than just a leading international business and financial centre. It is also a city rich in the performing arts and culture, offering a kaleidoscope of the East, the West and the elegant fusion of the 2 cultures."
"The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and the CCDC Dance Company, whose performance will start tomorrow and runs until Saturday, are two of Hong Kongˇ¦s most distinguished performing groups. They exemplify the vibrancy of Hong Kong and in their works they treat us to a feast for the senses, a fusion of the ancient with the avant-garde."
Among New York's illustrious guests who attended the HKCO concert and reception tonight were diplomatic representatives, Hong Kong composer Doming Lam, Chinese-American novelist Amy Tan, Oscar- and Pulitzer-winning composer John Corigliano, business people and representatives of the American Music Center and other prestigious music organisations in the city. To them, this concert has opened up new artistic vistas and further strengthened the understanding between Chinese and Western music.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York and the Hong Kong Association of New York will host another outstanding group, the CCDC Dance Company, at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College from tomorrow to Saturday.
Ends/Thursday, October 13, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:47
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