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The Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present its annual concert entitled "A Soirˆme with Sheng" in January next year. The programme will include a variety of Chinese music with additional contemporary elements.
Under the batons of Tsui Ying-fai and Kwok Kin-ming, the repertoire includes a joint performance of the symphonic poem "Peacock" accompanied by the sheng maestro Loo Sze-wang, as well as the "SIU2 Three Concertos" accompanied by three members from the ensemble SIU2, namely Ng Cheuk-yin (sheng), Cass Lam (sanxian) and Jason Lau (zheng).
Kuan Nai-chung's "Peacock" consists of four movements, namely "Peacock Maidens", "Peacock Maidens' Dance", "The Peacock in the Cage" and "The Peacock's Wedding", which are presented as symphonic poems inspired by Yunnan's beautiful peacock maidens. "Old Restaurant (intro) ¡V Old Drama", one of the pieces of the "SIU2 Three Concertos", seeks to imitate a traditional Chinese music ensemble in an old Chinese restaurant, which gradually leads into rock music before entering an adagio phase with the interaction of sheng and zheng instruments. The other two concertos are of different styles ¡V "Window" is a quiet adagio while "Gliding" is a jumpy allegro.
The orchestra will also perform the finale from Wang Xilin's "Yunnan Tone Poem", the "Fire Torch Festival", which depicts a joyful scene as ethnic Yunnan people celebrate their traditional fire torch festival. This Chinese orchestral version is arranged by Alfred Wong. Other pieces include Peng Xiuwen's "The Moon is High", which praises the beauty of the moon, and Wang Danhong's "Harvest Dance on Strings" which celebrates the enthusiastic "Harvest Dance" of the people of northwest China. A beautiful transition of tone gives rise to a strong and vivid musical effect.
Established in 1978, the HKYCO has around 90 members. The orchestra has taken part in numerous local performances and major festivals, such as the Hong Kong Arts Festival, the Hong Kong Fringe Festival, the Hong Kong International Youth Arts Festival and more. It has also performed on tours to Beijing, Malaysia, the UK, France, the US and Canada to high acclaim.
Acclaimed Hong Kong sheng player and Music Office Instructor Loo Sze-wang, who has actively performed as a soloist and chamber musician both locally and overseas, will perform sheng solos during the concert. Well known for its unique style of composition and performance, the ensemble SIU2 will serve as the guest lead at the concert. The highly acclaimed ensemble has performed at various local and overseas arts festivals and music shows.
The concert will be held at 8pm on January 10 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of the Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced at $40, $60 and $80 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-price concessions are available for full-time students, people with disabilities and their minders, senior citizens aged 60 or above and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients. Telephone credit card booking can be made at 2111 5999 and Internet booking can be made at www.urbtix.hk. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7523 or 2582 5311 or visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/upcoming/2014_yco.html.
Ends/Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:01
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