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The Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra will collaborate with five renowned performers in a concert to commemorate the 120th birthday of the Chinese composer Liu Tianhua, who was an influential figure in the development of Chinese music.
The concert, featuring conductor Hu Bingxu and erhu performers Ching Sau-wing, Jin Wei and Gao Yang, as well as pipa performer Yin Yuwen and violinist Liu Yuxi, will be held at 8pm on September 19 (Saturday) in the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall. The programme will include pieces that are usually described as "Liu Tianhua's 10 masterpieces of erhu", including "Meditation during Confinement in Sickness", "Melody on a Single String" and "Red Decorations in Candle Lights", as well as "A Beautiful Night" and "The Song of Sorrow" which will be arranged for violin and orchestra.
Composer, performer and pedagogue Liu Tianhua (1895-1932) contributed tremendously to traditional Chinese music and instruments by introducing reforms, including improvements in musical notations for the conservation and inheritance of ancient and folk music, and adaptation of Western techniques in music composition and the making of musical instruments.
Established in 1994, the Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra has continuously strived to promote Chinese culture, enhance the development of Chinese music in the territory and foster extensive exchange activities between local and overseas music circles. The orchestra is recognised as a very promising Chinese orchestra.
Hu Bingxu is one of today's most outstanding conductors in China. He was formerly Deputy Leader and Principal Conductor of the China National Orchestra. Hu received the Outstanding Conductor Award from the Ministry of Culture, and has been invited to conduct on various important occasions, including "A Star-studded Evening", which marked the closing ceremony of the 11th Asian Games.
The concert by the Hong Kong City Chinese Orchestra is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $120, $150 and $180 are now available at URBTIX. 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 are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20 per cent is offered for the group booking package. Please refer to the programme leaflet or the website for details.
A pre-concert talk entitled "Liu Tianhua - the Maker of Contemporary Chinese Music" (conducted in Putonghua and Cantonese) will be held at 7.30pm on September 15 (Tuesday) at the South Committee Room, 7/F, High Block, Hong Kong City Hall. Speakers will include Hu Bingxu, Ching Sau-wing, Jin Wei, Gao Yang and Yin Yuwen. Admission is free.
For enquiries on the programme, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_933.html. For telephone credit card booking, please call 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Monday, August 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:01
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