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Four internationally renowned zheng players will collaborate at "Zheng Virtuosi in Concert" next month (May).
Featuring Jiao Jinhai, So Chun-bo, Wang Zhongshan and Huang Haoyin, the concert will be held at 8pm, May 9 (Saturday), at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall. Under the baton of Ng Chiu-shing and accompaniment by the Hong Kong Juvenile and Youth Chinese Classical Orchestra and the Hong Kong Zheng Orchestra, the virtuosi will perform "The Dream of the Red Mansions Suite", "Operatic Music", "Music of Great Desert" (world premiere), "Dance of the Dong's", "Liquormania", "In Memoriam", "Searching" and "Cat's Romp".
Jiao Jinhai is a famous zheng virtuoso whose name is given to the style of playing the instrument he invented. After his graduation from the Central Conservatory of Music in 1963, he had worked with the Central Broadcasting Folk Orchestra. He is currently a professor in the Department of Music of the Xiamen University, and vice-president of the Zheng Society of China and the Zheng Society under the auspices of the Chinese Musicians' Association.
Jiao has written more than 30 compositions. His modern theory of zheng playing techniques published in Beijing in 1987 is the first book of its kind in China. He also wrote a number of academic papers on zheng music. He has frequently been invited to be a member of jury at international zheng competitions.
So Chun-bo represents the first generation of zheng music promulgators. He has devoted his energy to the promotion of the zheng since 1965. He founded the first zheng orchestra in 1971 converting the originally a solo instrument into an instrument that can be performed in more than a dozen novel ways. In 1974 he gave the first "Principally Zheng" concert at the Hong Kong City Hall, thereby paving the way for zheng concerts.
So is currently the chairman of the Hong Kong Zheng Orchestra and the Hong Kong Guzheng Academy.
Wang Zhongshan is a well-known zheng recitalist and educator in China today. His music is insightful, sensitive, with lyrical and vibrant tone colours. He is known for his ability to translate rational thoughts through emotive musical idioms. Wang came first in the zheng section of the International Chinese Ethnic Instruments Solo Competition. He is acclaimed for his easy, relaxed stage presence that belies his virtuosity and control, and is considered one of the most influential zheng artists in China today as well as a pioneer in modern zheng techniques.
Huang Haoyin was born and raised in Taipei. She obtained her bachelors degree of Law in Economics from Chung Hsing University and graduated from the Chinese Music Division of Music Department, Chinese Cultural University, majoring in Zheng and Guqin (Chinese Zithers). Winner of the fourth World-wide Chinese Cultural & Artistic Heritage Awards, Huang has held 22 solo music concerts in Taipei and performed in Korea, France, Japan and Thailand.
"Zheng Virtuosi in Concert" is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Tickets priced at $80, $110 and $140 are now available 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 CSSA recipients on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum discount of 20% is offered for group booking schemes. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For enquiries about the programme, 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, April 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:16
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