Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra to perform "The Carnival of the Animals" concerts in October
***************************************************************

     The Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will perform concerts entitled "The Carnival of the Animals", featuring a crossover of motion graphic effects and classical music, in October. The concerts, to be presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, will see the orchestra perform alongside guest conductor Fan Tao and young musicians including violinist Wong Pui-ying as well as pianists Zhen Xiyuan and Lau Shing-ho.
 
     The programme will include Glinka's Overture to "Ruslan and Lyudmila", Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto in D Major" (Op. 35) and Saint-Saëns' "The Carnival of the Animals" (with animation effects).
 
     Fan Tao is a National Class One Conductor from the Mainland. He graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and studied composition and conducting under noted conductor and teacher Huang Xiaotong, as well as under renowned conductor and educator Phillip Spurgeon in the United States. Fan has conducted many leading orchestras and ensembles in Finland, Australia, the United States, Mainland China and other places around the world. He often collaborates with internationally recognised soloists. At the International Sibelius Conductors' Competition held in Finland in May 2000, Fan was awarded a special prize, donated by the Sibelius Estate, by the jury which enabled him to receive a masterclass with Esa-Pekka Salonen.
 
     Wong Pui-ying, aged 13, studied violin under Wong Chiu-tan and now studies with Lo Kwok-yan. She has received numerous awards including a gold prize for violin solo in the Western music category of the 1st Wuzhou Cup instrumental competition held in Beijing in 2011, champion in the final contest of the 2nd Hong Kong International Music Festival in 2015, and champion in the International Yampolsky Violin Competition in Moscow in 2017.
 
     Zhen Xiyuan graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with a bachelor degree in music and has recently attained a Gold Prize at the 4th Ishikawa International Piano Competition (University/Adults Category).
 
     Lau Shing-ho is now studying at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and was awarded a fellowship diploma at Trinity College London. He recently attained a Gold Prize at the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in Asia.
 
     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.
 
     The concerts "The Carnival of the Animals" by the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will be staged at 8pm on October 7 (Saturday) at the Auditorium of Tsuen Wan Town Hall and at 3pm on October 8 (Sunday) at the Auditorium of the Yuen Long Theatre. Tickets with prices ranging from $100 to $160 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_343.html.
 

Ends/Friday, August 25, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:35

NNNN