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To mark the golden jubilee of its establishment, the Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra will collaborate with renowned conductor Xia Feiyun for the "Celebration Concert" in December.
Under the batons of Xia and its resident conductors Chan Chiu-yin and Tse Kim-fei, the orchestra will perform well-known Chinese music repertoire, including the prelude of "The Dagger Society", "Dance of the Yao Tribe", "The Red Plum Capriccio", "Scenes of the Four Seasons in Jiangnan", "The Tiny Shan Pui River", "The Fairy of the Ninth Heaven" and "Song of the Fishermen in the East Sea". Young erhu soloist Lee Ka-him as well as talented members of the orchestra, including Kwok Ka-wing (erhu), Ling Cho-ho (dizi), Chan Hiu-fung (pipa) and Wong Yuen-chun (zheng), will also be featured in the concert.
Born in 1936, Xia Feiyun entered the middle school affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in 1953 with a violin that he made by himself to study violin as an area of specialisation. Three years later, he entered the conservatory proper to study Chinese music conducting. Upon graduation in 1961, he joined the faculty to teach while at the same time provided training for ensembles in Shanxi and Jiangsu. With his solid training in Western music and his knowledge of the various characteristics of the Chinese musical instruments, Xia has great insight into the ethos of Chinese music. He has been the conductor for many ensembles and orchestras, including the Chinese Music Ensemble of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, the Chinese National Orchestra of China and the ensemble of the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe.
Founded in 1962, the Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra is one of the oldest Chinese orchestras in Hong Kong. The orchestra is dedicated to introducing a wide range of Chinese folk music to the public, as well as to providing training and performing opportunities to local young musicians. The orchestra has collaborated with an array of conductors and musicians. Its performances have received critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
The "Celebration Concert" by the Hong Kong YWCA Chinese Orchestra is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 4pm on December 9 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $110, $140 and $160 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). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for a group booking package.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_98.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, November 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:22
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