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The Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present exciting and compelling performances in its annual concert next month. The concert will include the premiere performance of Dr Joshua Chan's "The Flying Dragon" and an array of orchestral classics to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
The HKYSO Annual Concert "The Flying Dragon" will be held at 3pm on November 18 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Under the batons of conductors Ng Ka-ming, Pak Wing-heng, Dr Joseph Kam and Dr Chan, about 100 members of the HKYSO and the Hong Kong Junior Chamber Ensemble will perform in the concert.
"The Flying Dragon", a commissioned work written by Dr Chan, a noted Hong Kong composer, will be premiered to depict Hong Kong's contributions in multiple areas to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR. The music features various qualities to showcase a dragon's different movements in the air. Another highlight piece is "Fire Torch Festival", from "Yunnan Tone Poem" by Shanxi composer Wang Xilin. With the rich flavour of Yunnan folk music, the piece won the first prize at the inaugural National Symphonic Work Composition Competition in 1981. Czech composer Dvorak's enchanting piece "Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88", featuring an exceptional and rich Bohemian flavour, will also be performed.
The Hong Kong Junior Chamber Ensemble will guest perform Mozart's "Symphony No. 38 in D major, K 504 'Prague'" from the opera "Don Giovanni". The three movements in sonata form include a majestic slow introduction, a lively section and a chromatic symphony. German composer and violinist Fritz Seitz's "Pupil's Concerto No. 5 in D major, Op. 22" will be guest performed by the Hong Kong Junior Chamber Ensemble with about 300 young violin trainees showcasing the melody with extraordinary fingering and bowing techniques.
Since its establishment in 1978, the HKYSO has provided advanced-level orchestral training for young musicians, and many orchestra members have gone on to become eminent professionals. The orchestra has collaborated with many internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists. In May 2010, the HKYSO was invited by UNICEF to perform a joint concert with the renowned pianist Lang Lang.
The HKYSO has also played the role of music ambassador for Hong Kong and has participated in concert tours to France, Israel, Cyprus, the UK, Australia, the US, Singapore and the Mainland. In October 2010, the HKYSO performed in the Hong Kong Week of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China and participated in exchange programmes with young musicians in Shanghai.
Tickets priced at $80, $60 and $40 for the concert are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients.
For credit card telephone booking, please call 2111 5999. Internet booking is available at www.urbtix.hk. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7537 or 2582 5311 or visit the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/MusicOffice/en/events_2012_09_06.php.
Ends/Thursday, October 18, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:01
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