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Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will present "A Taste of Russia" in March. The concerts will feature Jimmy Chiang, the principal conductor of Theatre Freiburg, Germany, as principal guest conductor and piano soloist, and Britta Stroher as soprano.
The programme will consist of four famous Russian compositions. Jimmy Chiang will perform Rachmaninov's "Piano Concerto No. 2" as soloist, showcasing his virtuoso technique in a piece filled with Russian passion and romance. Britta Stroher will perform Glière's technically demanding "Coloratura Soprano Concerto". The other two pieces are Rachmaninov's "Vocalise" and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture".
Conductor and pianist Jimmy Chiang was born in Hong Kong and studied under the guidance of internationally renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa and pianist Krassimira Jordan. In 2007, he won First Prize at the Fourth International Competition of Young Conductors "Lovro von Matacic" in Zagreb, Croatia. He was also awarded the "Barenreiter Urtext Preis" at the 3rd International Competition for Young Choir Directors (Vienna). Since the age of 13, Chiang has been active on stage as a concert pianist. In 2001, he was invited to appear at the European Piano Forum in Berlin.
Britta Stroher, lyric coloratura soprano, was born in Giessen, Germany. She was First Prize winner at the 14th International Erika Koeth Competition in 1997. Other international awards included various prizes at the International Enrico Caruso Competition in Milan and the International Coloratura Competition in Luxemburg. She made her opera debut at the age of 22 and has played different operatic roles on stage such as Violetta in "La Traviata", Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor", Queen of the Night in "Die Zauberflote", and Adele in "Fledermaus". She has also given concerts and song recitals in many countries of Europe with a repertoire ranging from baroque to contemporary music.
Founded by Dr Yip Wai-hong, the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra aims to promote music especially among the younger generation in Hong Kong. A number of internationally famous conductors and soloists have been invited to perform with it. By using the idiom of popular music and organising concert talks, the orchestra has successfully introduced serious music to the public and raised awareness of indigenous culture.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "A Taste of Russia" by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will be at 8pm on March 26 (Friday), at the Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall; and 8pm on March 27 (Saturday), at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced from $80 to $140 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions will be granted to senior citizens aged 60 or above, 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 details of the group booking discount.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, 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/Saturday, February 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 10:01
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