"Beautiful Strings" concerts by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra to be staged in May
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The orchestra will stage a strong production team for the concerts, with Dr Yip Wai-hong as music director and Lio Kuokman as guest conductor. Also performing will be Korean violinist Jang Yoo Jin, who won first prize (Violin Section) at the Sendai International Music Competition in Japan 2016, and local violinist Andrew Ling.
The programme includes Sarasate’s "Navarra", Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto", Dvorak's "Symphony No.8" and Yip Wai-hong's "Splendour of the Desert" (world premiere).
Founded by Dr Yip Wai-hong, the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra is a highly organised ensemble which aims to promote music among the general public, and especially among Hong Kong's young generation. The orchestra frequently performs at Hong Kong City Hall, as well as at regional town halls and civic centres. Various internationally acclaimed conductors and soloists have been invited to perform with the orchestra. Through popular music and concert talks the orchestra has successfully introduced classical music and Chinese orchestral music to the public, and at the same time brought about a greater awareness of the city's indigenous culture.
Praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as a "startling conducting talent", Lio Kuokman has worked extensively as conductor in both the symphonic and operatic genres. His resume includes serving as assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, making him the first Chinese conductor in this position in its history. Lio was also the top prize winner at the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris in June 2014, winning the Audience Prize and Orchestra Prize from among 450 international contestants. His recent appearances as guest conductor include with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa, the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Virtuosi, the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and the Macao Orchestra.
Korean violinist Yoo Jin Jang, has been praised for her "fiery virtuosity" and sensitive interpretation. She has performed with top Korean orchestras since the age of 9, and over the years she has appeared with the Budapest Festival Orchestra, the Bulgaria National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonia Orchestra, the Erato Ensemble, the Exremadura Orchestra and the Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo. A seasoned competition winner, she won the 4th Munetsugu Angel Violin Competition in Japan, and both fifth place and the special prize for "Best Sonata other than Beethoven" at the 2014 International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, the most prestigious such competition in the United States.
Hong Kong-native Andrew Ling studied violin with the late Professor Lin Yaoji at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing at the age of 6, and soon began touring internationally with the Hong Kong-based Yip's Children's Choir. He has won acclaim for his orchestral playing and solo recitals in Hong Kong, North America and Europe. His appearances as concert soloist include the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, and the China Film Orchestra.
The "Beautiful Strings" concerts by the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will be staged at 8pm on May 12 (Friday) at the Auditorium of Sha Tin Town Hall; and at 8pm on May 13 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets priced from $100 to $200 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999.
For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_253.html.
Ends/Friday, April 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:10
Issued at HKT 15:10
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