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To mark the 200th anniversary of Liszt's birth, the 105th anniversary of Shostakovich's birth and the 100th anniversary of Mahler's death, the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with young pianist Zhang Yue in the "Music Across the Centuries" concerts.
Under the baton of guest conductor Law Po-kwan, Zhang will join the orchestra to perform a series of excerpts including Liszt's "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat", "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minor", "Symphonic Poem No. 3, 'Les Preludes'" and "Mephisto Waltz No. 1"; Mahler's "Symphony No. 1" and "Symphony No. 5"; and Shostakovich's "Chamber Symphony for Strings, Op. 110a (orch. Barshai)".
Zhang Yue began learning piano at the age of seven. He entered the Junior Middle School Section of Shenzhen Arts School and was coached by Dan Zhaoyi. In 2008, he received piano training from Gabriel Kwok, the Head of Keyboard Studies of the School of Music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Zhang has been studying piano under Kwok since he enrolled in the Academy in 2010.
Zhang performed the "Yellow River Piano Concerto" with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and participated in the "Beautiful Sunday" concert series held at the Shenzhen Concert Hall in November that year. That was followed by a performance at the New Year Concert at the Shenzhen Grand Theatre in 2009, and in May, he performed Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor'" with the Xiamen Symphony Orchestra.
The highly talented Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra aims to bring music to a wider audience in Hong Kong, especially the younger generation. The orchestra has performed frequently with a number of internationally famous conductors and soloists in Hong Kong over the past 34 years. By performing popular music and organising concert talks, the orchestra has been successful in introducing classical music and Chinese orchestral music to the public.
"Music Across the Centuries" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will take place at 8pm on November 5 (Saturday) at the Theatre, Sheung Wan Civic Centre; at 3pm on November 6 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Centre; and at 8pm on November 12 (Saturday) at the Y-Theatre, Youth Square (Chai Wan). Tickets priced at $100 and $120 are now available at 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 and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). Group booking discount is also available. Please refer to the programme leaflets for further details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/000002fa.html Ticketing enquiries 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, October 14, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:51
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