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Two world-renowned Chinese musicians - guitarist Yang Xuefei and cellist Wang Jian - will perform together in May, offering an evening of music specially arranged for these two instruments. This is one of the celebration events marking the 50th anniversary of Hong Kong City Hall.
Cellist Wang Jian first appeared on the international music scene when he was featured, as a child, in Isaac Stern's celebrated documentary "From Mao to Mozart". He later established himself as one of the world's leading cellists, collaborating with many major orchestras and conductors, and with a long list of distinguished recordings to his credit. Yang Xuefei emerged on the scene recently and quickly won acclaim as one of the most gifted guitarists of the younger generation. The two artists – no strangers to Hong Kong audiences – have recently appeared in duo recitals to high acclaim. For their forthcoming Hong Kong concert they offer a programme of great variety, including novel transcriptions for cello and guitar and works from Bach and Schubert to Piazzolla and Villa-Lobos, guaranteeing an enchanting evening for all.
Beijing-born, Yang Xuefei is acclaimed as one of the world's finest classical guitarists. Born in the year following the end of Cultural Revolution (1977) (Cultural Revolution was a time when Western music and instruments were banned), she was the first guitarist in China to enter a music school and became the first to launch an international professional career. Fei's first public appearance was at the age of ten and she received such acclaim that the Spanish Ambassador in China immediately presented her with a concert guitar. Fei enjoys a truly international career, regularly performing around the world. Her second album, "40 Degrees North", was selected as the "Editor's Choice" by Gramophone magazine.
Wang Jian was only 10 when he was featured in the celebrated documentary "From Mao to Mozart". Stern's encouragement and support paved the way for him to go to the United States and in 1985 he entered the Yale School of Music under a special programme, where he studied with the renowned cellist Aldo Parisot. In 1986, Wang had his first professional engagement at New York's Carnegie Hall and since then he has embarked on an international career. Wang has also performed at many festivals throughout the world, as both soloist and chamber musician, including at Verbier in Switzerland, Miyazaki in Japan, Aldeburgh in the UK and Tanglewood and Mostly Mozart in the USA. His many recordings have received wide acclaim.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Duo Recital by Yang Xuefei (Guitar) & Wang Jian (Cello)" will be staged at 8pm, on May 6 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $300, $250, $200 and $150 are now available at all URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card 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). Special booking discount is available - 10 per cent off for each purchase of standard tickets for both concerts of "Duo Recital by Yang Xuefei (Guitar) and Wang Jian (Cello)" and "Borodin Quartet" (April 25).
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/00000331.html. 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/Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:16
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