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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present the lecture series "Music in Chinese Literature" by Tam Po-shek in August, in which the well-known xiao player and xiao maker will discuss the mysteries of the relationships between Chinese music and literature.
Tam Po-shek is dedicated to exploring and expanding the expressive abilities of the xiao through performance and research into the instrument's making, and has made significant contributions in the field. He has given performances in countries throughout the world. Blending traditional elements with the innovative, Tam's music emphasises an exploration on the philosophical level. His highly innovative musicality has won him attention and wide acclaim in the music scene. He has been interviewed by the media in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Japan, and has also appeared in numerous film features. Critics have written that "he is so adept in using the xiao to tell each story", and that "with one solo instrument he is capable of evoking the deepest emotions in the hundreds and thousands listening to him". The sounds from Tam's xiao have been praised as "xiao music from the deep recesses of the soul".
Live performances will be included in every lecture to tie in with the content. Details of the lectures are as follows:
August 10 (Wednesday)
Topic: The Poesy of Tang and Song
Content: A talk to uncover the profundity, nuances and philosophies in Tang and Song poetry through Chinese calligraphy, painting and music.
August 17 (Wednesday)
Topic: A Magnificent Landscape
Content: "Chibi Fu" is a famous piece of prose by Su Dongpo of the Song Dynasty. In this talk, we will analyse it from the aspects of Chinese calligraphy, painting and music to uncover the embedded meanings in it and to appreciate the breadth of vision of this great poet and prose writer.
August 24 (Wednesday)
Topic: The Literati Spirit
Content: In this talk, we will sail into the realm of famous Chinese prose like "On Yueyang Tower" and "An Epigraph in Praise of My Humble Abode" through Chinese calligraphy and music.
August 31 (Wednesday)
Topic: "Taking the Birthday Gifts Caravan by Strategy" from "The Water Margin"
Content: The famous episode in the novella will be re-enacted through this vivid storytelling session with accompaniment, in the vein of Chinese ballad metre.
The lectures, to be conducted in Cantonese, will start at 7.30pm at the Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum. Tickets priced at $50 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by credit card telephone booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Issued at HKT 12:36
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