The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO) promotes Hong Kong's arts and culture in Russia by supporting the music tour of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO).

     The HKCO started the music tour with a concert in St Petersburg on February 16 (Russian time), followed by two concerts in Sochi on February 20 and 21 on the invitation of the Sochi Winter International Festival of Arts. The music tour of HKCO forms parts of the celebration programme of the London ETO commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

     Performing in Russia again since their last appearance in 2013, the HKCO has selected a varied repertoire for the concert in St Petersburg, featuring a mixture of traditional and contemporary pieces specially arranged and chosen to represent different ethnic flavours from different areas of China. Led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Yan Hui-chang, the HKCO performed, among other pieces, "The Silk Road Fantasia Suite", "Three Variations on Yangguan" and "Leaping Dragon".

     Speaking at the opening of the St Petersburg concert, the Director-General of the London ETO, Ms Priscilla To, extended a warm welcome to the HKCO and said, "The very gifted musicians who bring the Orchestra to life are indeed the embodiment of the value of high quality that forms an essential part of Hong Kong. Their dedication to craft and constant strive for excellence is something in which we all take pride."

     Founded in 1977, the HKCO is a professional and full-sized Chinese orchestra in Hong Kong funded by the Government. Over the years, the Orchestra has built an abundant repertoire and has continued to explore new frontiers in music through commissioning new works of various types and styles, many of which have won awards at home and abroad.

Ends/Friday, February 17, 2017
Issued at HKT 22:27

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