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The Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with pianist Krassimira Jordan to give two concerts entitled "Aflame with Paris" in May. The programme includes Debussy's "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune", Ravel's "Piano Concerto in G" and Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite" (1919 version).
Performing under the leadership of Concert Music Director Dr Yip Wai-hong and Principal Guest Conductor Jimmy Chiang, the Orchestra and pianist Krassimira Jordan promise delightful performances for the audience.
Founded by Dr Yip Wai-hong, the Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra is a highly organised ensemble aiming to promote music among the general public, especially Hong Kong's young generation. The Orchestra has frequently performed at Hong Kong City Hall, regional town halls and civic centres. Various internationally famous conductors and soloists have been invited to perform with the Orchestra. By using the idioms of popular music and concert talks, the Orchestra has successfully introduced serious music and Chinese orchestral music to the public, and at the same time brought about a greater awareness of the city's indigenous culture.
Jimmy Chiang was described as a versatile and disciplined conductor by the international opera magazine "Orpheus" in a cover story in 2009. The Hong Kong-born conductor and pianist received a Fellowship Diploma from the Trinity College of Music in London at the age of 16, a Bachelor of Music Degree from Baylor University in the United States and a Magister Artium from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. His major breakthrough as a conductor came with his winning the renowned Lovro von Matacic International Competition for Young Conductors in Zagreb, Croatia in 2007. Chiang has worked as Assistant Music Director on Wagner's "Ring Cycle" at Theater Lübeck, as well as Kapellmeister at Theater Freiburg in Germany. In 2013 he took on the position as Kapellmeister of the world famous Vienna Boys' Choir, leading the choir at regular concerts and masses at the Imperial Chapel in Vienna and on concert tours worldwide.
Krassimira Jordan was born in Varna, Bulgaria to Russian and Bulgarian parents. Jordan won a series of prestigious international prizes including the International Piano Competitions "Alfredo Casella" and "Alessandro Casagrande", as well as the Clara Haskil Prize. Representing Austria, Jordan was First Prize and Gold Medal winner at the Rio de Janeiro International Piano Competition. She has performed as recitalist and orchestral soloist in major European cities and at many leading world venues. Together with Thomas Kreuzberger, she recorded "Die Ungarischen Tänze" by Johannes Brahms, available from Gramola, Vienna. Jordan is currently Artist-in-Residence and Professor of Piano at Baylor University in the United States. She has been regularly invited to conduct masterclasses at major universities on the Mainland, in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Aflame with Paris" – Concerts by Pan Asia Symphony Orchestra
will be staged at 8pm on May 30 (Saturday) at the Auditorium, Sha Tin Town Hall; and at 3pm on May 31 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall. Tickets priced from $100 to $180 are now available at URBTIX. 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 are available on a first-come, first-served basis). Group booking discount is also available. Please refer to the programme leaflet for details.
For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/program_845.html. For telephone credit card bookings, please call 2111 5999. For Internet bookings, please visit www.urbtix.hk.
Ends/Friday, April 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:01
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