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Violinist Joshua Bell, renowned as a "classical music superstar", will join one of the world's leading chamber orchestras, The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, to perform Beethoven's "Overture to Coriolan, Op. 62" and "Symphony No. 7 in A, Op. 92" and Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64" in Hong Kong in June.
For more than two decades, Joshua Bell has enchanted audiences worldwide with his breathtaking virtuosity and tone of rare beauty. He came to national attention at the age of 14 in a highly acclaimed orchestral debut with Riccardo Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra. A Carnegie Hall debut, the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, and a recording contract further confirmed his presence in the music world. Today he is equally at home as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestra leader. His restless curiosity and multifaceted musical interests have taken him in exciting new directions that have earned him the rare title of "classical music superstar". In addition to his concert career, Bell enjoys chamber music collaborations with artists such as Pamela Frank and Steven Isserlis.
British orchestra The Academy of St Martin in the Fields, formed by a group of leading London musicians and working without a conductor, gave its first performance in its namesake church on November 13, 1959. In these 50 years, the orchestra has become known for its superlative performances and award-winning recordings. The Academy maintains a high-profile international concert schedule and alongside its performances with Sir Neville Marriner and Kenneth Sillito collaborates with some of today's most thrilling musicians, including Murray Perahia, Joshua Bell, Julia Fischer, Julian Rachlin, Janine Jansen and Anthony Marwood. During its 50th anniversary year the Academy performed throughout the UK, Europe and the USA, as well as a private concert at Buckingham Palace before Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Commonwealth.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Encore Series: Joshua Bell and The Academy of St Martin in the Fields" will be staged at 8pm on June 16 (Wednesday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets priced at $200, $300, $400 and $520 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are entitled to 50% off (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A package discount applies to purchase with "Great Music" programmes including "Trey Lee and The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (Finland)", "Emerson String Quartet", "Piano Recital by Krystian Zimerman" and "Piano Recital by Piotr Anderszewski (Poland)". A group booking discount is also available. For more details, please check the programme leaflet.
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 .
A pre-concert talk in Cantonese conducted by Albert Ho, lecturer at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, will be held at 6.30pm on June 16 (Wednesday) at Foyer Reception Area, 4/F, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ends/Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:01
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