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The Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, with young pianist Shen Wenyu, will give two concerts in March.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and under the baton of conductor Dr Yip Wai-hong, the concerts feature three classical pieces including Rachmaninov's "Vocalise" and "Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18", as well as Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 4 in G, Op. 58".
Shen Wenyu, at the age of 16, was the youngest winner at the Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in 2003, with a second placing. In 2005, he won first prize at Rachmaninov International Piano Competition and second prize at Hong Kong International Piano Competition.
Noted by the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung for his "completely beautiful, lively and enormously accurate" performance, Shen started learning piano at the age of 6. He moved to Germany at 11 to follow Professor Hauer in Karlsruhe Conservatory of Music and in 2001, began his studies under Professor Kamerling at the Hannover Conservatory of Music until he returned to China in late 2005. He has given recitals in China, South Africa, Germany, France, Poland, Netherlands and collaborated with many major orchestras including touring Taiwan with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under Hugh Wolff, and performing with the Hampleton Symphony in South Africa.
Founded by Dr Yip Wai-hong, Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra is a highly organised orchestra which aims to promote music among the general public especially the young generation in Hong Kong. The orchestra has performed frequently in the Hong Kong City Hall, regional town halls and civic centres hundreds of times over the past 30 years. A number of internationally famous conductors and soloists have been invited to perform with it. By using the idioms of popular music and organising concert talks, the orchestra has successfully introduced serious music and Chinese orchestral music to the public, and at the same time, brought about an awareness of the indigenous culture of the people.
The concerts will be staged at 8pm on March 14 (Saturday) at the Academic Community Hall, Hong Kong Baptist University, and 3pm on March 15 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $110, $90 and $70 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. (Limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.) Please refer to programme leaflets for detail of group booking discount.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.
Ends/Monday, February 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:59
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