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The Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra (HKCSO), accompanied by talented young violinist Chen Xi, will perform two concerts titled "Melodies to Touch Your Heart" in May.
The concerts will be conducted by Dr Yip Wai-hong, with Professor Gabriel Leung as honorary guest conductor and Dr Law Po-kwan as assistant conductor.
The programme will include Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain", Mozart's "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A, K. 219", Massenet's "Méditation" (from opera Thaïs), John Williams' theme from the movie "Schindler's List", Sarasate's "Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20" and Sibelius's "Symphony No. 2 in D, Op. 43".
Rising Chinese violinist Chen Xi has been described by music magazine The Strad as "a very bright musician with strong individuality". He was born in Shenyang and showed astonishing musical talent at an early age. He made his debut public performance at 7 years of age and began performing with famous orchestras on the Mainland and around the world aged just 13. At 17, Chen won the Silver Medal at the 12th International Tchaikovsky Violin Competition in 2002, a year in which no Gold Medal was awarded, making him the youngest winner in the history of the competition. Chen performs frequently in China and abroad with concert appearance numbering over 300, and has played with many famous orchestras including the China Philharmonic Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra.
The HKCSO was established by Dr Yip Wai-hong in 1996. Members aged 7 to 18 are recruited through highly competitive open auditions and trained under acclaimed conductor Yip Wing-sie. Through the years, the HKCSO has performed with celebrated soloists and international competition winners such as Lu Wei, Yang Tianwa and Yang Xiaoyu. Since 2001, the HKCSO has delighted audiences around the world on various concert tours and exchange programmes. In the summer of 2012, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney sponsored the HKCSO for a seven-concert tour of Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with China. The orchestra's final two concerts in Auckland and in Wellington, New Zealand were very well received by the local mayor and lawmakers.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Chen Xi and Hong Kong Children's Symphony Orchestra - Melodies to Touch Your Heart" will be staged at 8pm on May 3 (Saturday) at Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall and at 3pm on May 4 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced at $160, $140 and $110 are now available at URBTIX outlets, on the Internet and by telephone credit card booking. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and their minders, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A maximum of 20 per cent discount is offered for group booking package, please refer to programme leaflets for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_515.html . For ticketing enquiries, please call 3761 6661. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk .
Ends/Thursday, April 3, 2014
Issued at HKT 10:00
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