Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
More than 400 musicians to perform in Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra annual concert
******************************************************

     The Hong Kong Youth Symphony Orchestra (HKYSO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present its annual concert entitled "Variations" in December. The concert will feature several fantastic works including two magnificent variations from the 19th century by maestros Johannes Brahms and Edward Elgar.

     Johannes Brahms' "Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op 56a" is considered the first set of independent variations written for an orchestra. The well-structured music consists of a theme and eight variations in a distinctive style, and concludes with a climax of layered instrumental parts. "Enigma Variations, Op 36" is Edward Elgar's best-known orchestral piece. The music begins with a brief development of the melody in a melancholy mood, following by 14 variations without a pause. Elgar depicted a friend in each variation, yet their identities remain a mystery.

     The orchestra will also perform Malcolm Arnold's "Four Scottish Dances, Op 59". The four pieces have different themes and tempos, including the slow dance "Pesante", the lively dance "Vivace", the lyric dance "Allegretto" and the energetic "Con Brio". Emmanuel Charbrier's masterpiece "Espa?a Rhapsody" will also be featured. The work was inspired by the local folk songs, dances and customs that Charbrier was introduced to during a trip to Spain.

     Under the batons of Ng Ka-ming, Pak Wing-heng and Dr Joseph Kam, about 300 Music Office violin and viola trainees will jointly perform Leroy Anderson's "Arietta", as well as his work "Fiddle-Faddle" arranged by Jack Bullock, with the orchestra. Anderson composed the former for his daughter, who was learning viola at the time, and shared profound and pure sentiments in the piece, while the latter features running notes of the violin to portray a joyous scene of jubilant cowboys in the American Wild West.

     Since its establishment in 1978, the HKYSO's membership has grown to 120, with ages ranging from 12 to 25. Over the years, it has groomed many eminent local performers and music educators. The orchestra has collaborated with internationally acclaimed conductors and musicians, including the noted pianists Lang Lang and Colleen Lee.

     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.

     The concert will be staged at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre at 3pm on December 28 (Sunday). Tickets priced at $80, $60 and $40 for the concert are now available at URBTIX. Half-price concessions are available for full-time students, senior citizens, people with disabilities and their minders 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 7523 or 2582 5311 or visit the website www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/upcoming/2014_yso.html.

Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:15

NNNN

Print this page