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Internationally renowned Chinese cellist Trey Lee will next month (May) collaborate with versatile Finnish ensemble The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra to launch the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's "Great Music" series. The concert is also a celebration programme to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and China.
Under the direction of Dmitri Slobodeniouk, the ensemble and Lee will perform Lintinen's "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra" (Hong Kong premiere). Avanti! and Lee will also bring east and west together by performing Lindberg's "Corrente - China Version", Rautavaara's "A Finnish Myth", Sibelius' "The Lover Suite, Op. 14", and Wang Liping and Tung Chao-ming's symphonic poem "In Memory of the Red Chamber" (Hong Kong premiere of the chamber orchestra version specially written for Lee).
Trey Lee's success in music began at the age of nine at the Juilliard School, studying cello under Ardyth Alton. The first Chinese winning first prize at the 2004 International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition, the Hong Kong-born cellist has been celebrated across several continents. In the past few years, Lee has worked with esteemed orchestras and conductors to critical acclaim and has been hailed "the excellent cellist". He has a special affinity for performing contemporary music. As an active recitalist and chamber musician, Lee has performed for audiences all over the world. He currently lives in Berlin pursuing his solo career.
The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1983 by conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Olli Pohjola and Jukka-Pekka Saraste. An ensemble that varies in size from a string quartet to a symphony orchestra, it specialises in no particular genre. Rather, it is proud to be a specialist in all styles with a strong sense of responsibility for the music of today. Avanti! tours regularly in Finland and Europe. Since 1986 it has held the "Summer Sounds" festival in the little Finnish town of Porvoo. The festival closely associates with the best Finnish conductors and performs with international artists and conductors.
Dmitri Slobodeniouk combined studies at the Central Music School in Moscow in his native Russia with years of musical study in Finland, where he now makes his home. Drawing together the powerful musical strengths of these countries has made Slobodeniouk one of today's younger generation of deeply informed and intelligent artistic leaders on the podium. Eager to work with young musicians, he is widely appreciated for his collaborations with peer composers. He regularly directs Avanti! Chamber Orchestra as a guest conductor.
Jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Consulate General of Finland, Hong Kong, "Concert by Trey Lee & The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra" will be held at 8pm, May 30 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall.
Tickets priced at $100, $180, $240 and $300 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients may have 50% off (limited quotas for CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20% is offered for group bookings and the "Great Music" package. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For enquiries about the programme, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp . Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Friday, April 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:04
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