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The name of the Swiss-French flautist Emmanuel Pahud has always appeared on the reviews of the most reputable music publications: "Pahud is one of the finds of the decade, a player who respects the pure tonal palette of the flute" wrote "Gramophone"; "The flautist Emmanuel Pahud producing a warm yet clear tone, in a highly musical interpretation." - "Classic CD", "this signals the arrival of a new master flautist" - "The Guardian"... How much acclaim will he receive after his Hong Kong tour?

One of today's most exciting and adventurous musicians, the promising Pahud will join hands with his friends, Christoph Poppen (Violin), Hariolf Schlichtig (Viola) and Jean-Guihen Queyras (Cello), to stage a concert at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall at 8pm on December 7 (Friday). During the concert, Pahud and the trio will feature Mozart's flute quartets, Webern's string trio and Rossini's Sonates a Quattro. The concert is one of the highlights of the "City Hall Music Galaxy".

Born in Geneva in 1970 and started to study music at the age of six, Pahud graduated in 1990 with the Premier Prix from the Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique de Paris, after which he continued his studies with Aurele Nicolet. He has won first prize in many major competitions and won eight out of the twelve prizes at the International Music competitions of Geneva in 1992, Kobe in 1989 and Duino in 1988. He took the Soloists Prize in the French-speaking Community Radio Awards in Switzerland, and the European Council's Juventus Prize. He is also a laureate of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation and of the International Tribune for Musicians of UNESCO. He was named "Instrumentalist of the Year 1997" at the prestigious Victoires de la Musique award ceremony in Paris. At the age of 22, he was appointed Principal Flute of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado.

He gives frequent solo recitals and concerto performances all over the world, and appears regularly at leading international festivals throughout Europe, the USA and the Far East. Emmanuel's past two seasons included concerto appearances with the Berlin Philharmonic (Abbado), the Budapest Festival Orchestra (Fischer), the Baltimore Symphony, the London Philharmonic, the Zurich Tonhalle, the Suisse Romande, Monte-Carlo Philharmonic (Roshdestvensky), Bayerische Rundfunk (Maazel), Tokyo Symphony, the Berliner Barock-Solisten, the RSO-Wien, Orchestre National de Belgique, the Russian National Orchestra (Spivakov) as well as duo recital tours with pianist Eric Le Sage in Europe, Japan and North America.

Emmanuel Pahud's discography earned him several awards, including several Diapasons d'Or, Radio France's "Recording of the Year 1997", several Fono-Forum awards in Germany and the "Geijutsu" award from the Japanese record industry.

Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, tickets priced at $300, $200 and $100 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half price concessions will be granted to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistant Recipients (Limited student and CSSA tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount is also available for Friends of LCSD performing venues.

In addition, a VIP Box and Lounge is also available for private gathering while enjoying the performance. The patrons who have bought the package of VIP Box and Lounge can enjoy their own receptions and entertainment at the Lounge in private as well as two complimentary car parking spaces. Interested parties of the above packages are advised to check the details at 2301 2074.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2734 2935 while ticketing enquiries and reservation on 2734 9009.

End/Monday, October 29, 2001

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