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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has invited acclaimed arts critic Chow Fan-fu to host a series of lectures on the romantic world of the waltz. Titled "Romantic Joy: The World of Waltz" (to be conducted in Cantonese), the series looks at five classic waltzes composed in different periods. The five lectures will also give an "anatomical" analysis of the unique form and structure of the waltz.
During the 19th century the waltz emerged as one of the most popular musical dances, and was found both on the concert stage and in the dance hall. Albeit a spin-off from the rustic ländler, the waltz brought people happiness in times of misery. It was able to generate joy when life was dreary and bring sweet memories when there was pain all around. Indeed, the waltz became associated with romance and joy, and embedded in its unique musical form and structure is the key to its captivating charm. The lectures offer the chance to explore its mysteries together.
Since 1982, Chow has hosted a variety of classical music and cultural programmes on Radio Television Hong Kong's Radio 4. He also gives frequent talks on music and culture at tertiary institutes. He was awarded the Medal of Honour by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2011 for his continued and tireless efforts in the promotion of classical music and the appreciation of the arts. A prolific writer, he has written several books that chronicle the arts scene in Hong Kong, the latest being a volume to mark the golden jubilee of Hong Kong City Hall, "Where modern Hong Kong began: the City Hall and its 50-year story", which was commissioned by the LCSD in 2012. Other publications by Chow include "Ten Years of Cultural Life in Macao – Critiques and Reviews" and "Years of Beautiful Music – the Story of Barbara Fei". His "Music Is Life" was nominated as one of the Ten Best Books of 2006 and his "Music with Love: the 30th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra" was listed as one of the Ten Best Books of 2005.
Details of the lectures are as follows:
November 13 (Wednesday)
Topic: Waltz for Dancing
Track: Weber (1786-1826) - Invitation to Dance
November 20 (Wednesday)
Topic: Waltz for the Piano
Track: Chopin (1810-1849) - Grande Valse Brillante in E-flat, Op.18
November 27 (Wednesday)
Topic: Waltz as a Symphony
Track: Berlioz (1803-1869) - The Ball from Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14
December 4 (Wednesday)
Topic: Waltz by the "Waltz King"
Track: Johann Strauss (1825-1899) - Tales from the Vienna Woods
December 11 (Wednesday)
Topic: Waltz for Ballet
Track: Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) - Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
All lectures start at 7.30pm in the Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum. Each talk is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets priced at $50 (each session) 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 full-time students and CSSA recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for group booking package, please refer to programme leaflets for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321, or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/ce/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_370.html. For ticketing enquiries, please call 2734 9009. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:43
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