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Hong Kong audiences will soon have the chance to enjoy an ensemble of traditional Japanese and Chinese music as well as viewing some traditional Japanese musical instruments.

Presented by the Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Hong Kong - Kagoshima Music Exchange Concert will be held at the Auditorium of the Yuen Long Theatre at 7.30pm on November 2 (Sunday).

The Show-gen-kai Koto Ensemble from Kagoshima, Japan will be led by Ms Masako Keida while the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra will perform in the concert under the batons of Ms Chan Man Chong and Mr Kwok Kin Ming.

The programmes include "Hanetsuki" (Japanese Badminton), "Hana No Sono" (Flower Garden), "Three Ballads to Hida", "Haru No Umi" (Sea in the Spring) and "Yachiyo Jishi Henkyoku" (Variations "Lion of Eight Thousand Generations); Chinese music "Panda's Homeland", "Song of the Night" and "The Phoenix". In addition, the two orchestras will jointly perform the acclaimed "Sakura".

The concert will feature the traditional Japanese instruments, koto (a zither) and shakuhachi (a bamboo flute), which are similar to China's guzheng and xiao. The 71-year-old Japanese leader, Ms Masako Keida, was the winner of Sendai City Cultural Order Award and Kagoshima Prefecture Art and Culture Incentive Award for Music. The ensemble has 11 members with the youngest aged just 11.

Established in June 1989, the Hong Kong Youth Chinese Plucked String Orchestra has about 60 members aged from 10 to 23. The instruments they perform are liuyeqin, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, ruan, sanxian, cello and double bass.

Tickets priced at $20 are now available at all URBTIX outlets. Half-priced concessions are available to senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Recipients.

Programme enquiries can be made on 2158 6467 or 2582 5311 and reservations at 2734 9009. For more details, check the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.

Ends/Tuesday, October 14, 2003

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