"Percussion and Wind" concert shows essence of Chinese music
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    The Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra's "Percussion and Wind" concert next month (January) will demonstrate the essence of Chinese music.

     Renowned dab (large tambourine) percussionist and National Class One Performer Ubulikasam, suona virtuoso Liu Ying who is also a professor at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and local suona player Law Hang-leung will perform at the concert.

     Under the baton of conductor Wai Sing-fat, the Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra, Spring Melody Chorus and soloists will bring Chinese music to the audience. The programme includes suona solo "Snow Lantern Fair", double suona concerto "The Soul of Tree", Xinjiang dab solo "Under the Kunlun Mountain", ensemble "Water Spraying Festival", and "Ode to the Pioneers".

     The Hong Kong Music Lover Chinese Orchestra aims to promote Chinese music and carry on its rich heritage. Its members come from all sectors of the community. It has also brought several overseas Chinese orchestras to Hong Kong, including the Keat Hong Chinese Orchestra from Singapore, the Professional Cultural Centre Orchestra from Malaysia and the Chao Feng Chinese Orchestra from Australia. Apart from giving performances, the orchestra has made many recordings in cassette tapes and CDs. In addition, the orchestra has toured Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, the United States, Australia and a number of cities on the Mainland.

     Ubulikasam is an Uyghur performing artist of the dab, or large tambourine, and a National Class One Performer in China. For more than 40 years, Ubulikasam has been presenting his ethnic culture in the form of dab music to other ethnic groups in China. He is recognised for his dab interpretations and outstanding creativity. He was listed in the "who's who" published by the China Federation of Literature and Art Circles. In 2005, he was listed in "A Dictionary of Chinese Musicians".

     Liu won an Outstanding Achievement Award at the Second China Arts Festival, and an Outstanding Performance Award at the 14th Shanghai Spring International Music Festival. In 1995, he was elected an "Outstanding Young Teacher of Shanghai Municipality". Liu has given performances and talks in the United States, France, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

     "Percussion and Wind" concert will be staged at 8pm, Sunday, January 20, 2008, at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Tickets priced at $140, $110 and $80 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 Assistance recipients. (Limited tickets for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients are available on a first-come, first-served basis.)

     For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations call 2734 9009. Internet bookings are available at www.urbtix.hk. For credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999. Visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp for more information on the programme.

Ends/Monday, December 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:11

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