********************************************************
Clarinetist Andrew Simon will collaborate with local pianist Warren Lee next month, showing their virtuoso techniques in a one-off concert.
They will perform David Gwilt¡¦s new composition ¡§March and Dance for Clarinet and Piano¡¨, Schumann¡¦s ¡§Phantasiestˆ¢cke, Op. 73¡¨, Poulenc¡¦s ¡§Sonata for Clarinet and Piano¡¨, Paul Jeanjean¡¦s ¡§Carnival of Venice ¡V Theme and Variations¡¨, Brahms¡¦s ¡§Sonata No. 2 for Clarinet and Piano in E-flat, Op. 120¡¨ and Horovitz¡¦s ¡§Sonatina for Clarinet and Piano¡¨.
Andrew Simon, the first-prize winner of the International Clarinet Society Competition and the National Arts Club Competition, has been the principal clarinet of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for 21 years. After winning the Artists International Young Musicians Auditions Clarinet Award, Simon made his debut in the Carnegie Hall Recital Hall in l988. Since then he has appeared as soloist and taught masterclasses in the United States, Great Britain, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and became the first American-born artist to perform in North Korea in 1992. Renowned conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has noted his ¡§formidable technique, flair, and musicianship¡¨ while The New York Times compared him favourably to Benny Goodman. Simon will have an article devoted to his career in Gianluca Campagnolo¡¦s forthcoming book on the greatest clarinetists of the present day.
Warren Lee is the winner of the 1995 Stravinsky Awards International Piano Competition and the Grand Prix Ivo Pogorelich. Hailed by critics as a pianist ¡§with technique to burn, an extraordinary intellect, and a Horowitzian colour of romanticism¡¨, Lee¡¦s artistry has brought him to concert stages in Asia, Europe and North America. He has shared the stage with eminent musicians such as flutists Robert Aitken and Trevor Wye, violinists Dennis Kim and Jue Yao, and clarinetists Niclous Balderyou and Romain Guyot. Lee has made recordings for RTHK Radio 4 and was invited to be its Artist-in-Residence in 2004 and 2005.
¡§Duo Recital by Andrew Simon and Warren Lee¡¨ is one of the attractions of the ¡§Our Music Talents Series¡¨ presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It will be held at 8pm on September 21 (Monday) at Theatre, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $100 and $150 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis).
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.hk; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
Ends/Friday, August 21, 2009
Issued at HKT 11:13
NNNN