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One of the world's top orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will make its long-awaited Hong Kong debut with its music director Esa-Pekka Salonen in October.
Under the baton of Salonen, who will end his tenure at the end of the 2008-09 season, the orchestra will bring two individual and unique evening programmes to the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The first concert on October 29 (Wednesday) will feature world-acclaimed pianist Yefim Bronfman in a programme including Tchaikovsky's ever-popular "Piano Concerto No. 1" and Stravinsky's "Fireworks" and "The Firebird", two modern works interpreted with the Salonen hallmark style. On October 30 (Thursday), the programme will feature Falla's "Three Dances from 'El Amor Brujo'", Debussy's "La Mer" and Ravel's "Ma Mere l'Oye" and "Bolero".
Born in Helsinki in 1958, Esa-Pekka Salonen studied at the Sibelius Academy in Finland. In 1979, he made his conducting debut with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and his American debut conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1984.
Salonen is the recipient of several major awards. In 1998, he was awarded the rank of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government, and "Musical America" named him 2006 Musician of the Year. In addition, he has won acclaim for his work as a composer.
Yefim Bronfman is widely regarded as one of today's most talented virtuoso pianists. Born in Tashkent in the former Soviet Union in 1958, Bronfman emigrated to Israel with his family in 1973 and later studied at the Juilliard School, Marlboro, and the Curtis Institute in the United States.
Bronfman appears regularly with such celebrated ensembles as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Vienna Philharmonic. He has also given numerous solo recitals in leading concert halls around the globe. His commanding technique and exceptional lyrical gifts have won him consistent critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences worldwide.
Being Los Angeles' first permanent symphony orchestra founded in 1919, the Los Angeles Philharmonic is defining the concept of a "21st century orchestra" with innovation and exuberance under the dynamic leadership, since 1992, of Esa-Pekka Salonen. Inspired to consider new directions, Salonen and the orchestra aim to offer a programme that remains faithful to tradition, yet also seeks new ground, new audiences, and ways to enhance the symphonic music experience.
The concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets ranging from $250 to $780 will be available from August 29 (Friday) at URBTIX outlets. Senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients may have 50% off (limited quotas for students and CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis).
The concert on October 30 is sponsored by Mr Albert Hung and Mr Wilfred Ng.
For enquiries about the programmes, call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp. Ticketing enquiries and reservations can be made on 2734 9009 and credit card telephone bookings on 2111 5999. Tickets can also be booked online at www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Thursday, August 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:01
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