The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present exceptional music and dance programmes under its "Hong Kong Artists" Series this year. Taking the lead from September to November, four recitals will bring together a number of outstanding local musicians performing on percussion, saxophone, piano and dizi, showcasing the musical pulse and cultural vitality of Hong Kong's new generation. Tickets for the recitals will go on sale at URBTIX from 10am this Wednesday (June 17). 

     Brief introductions of the recitals are as follows:

Percussion Recital by Elise Liu and Friends
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Date and time: September 13 (Sunday), 8pm

     Under the theme "The Voice Within", percussionist Elise Liu has invited four of her musical confidants - percussion elites Karen Yu, Samuel Chan and Eugene Kwong, alongside soprano Rachel Kwok - to join her in performing a selection of contemporary percussion masterpieces, including Cerrone's "Goldbeater's Skin", Jodlowski's "Time & Money" and Honstein's "Hymning". The recital blends the multifaceted timbre of percussion, the ethereal poetry of the soprano voice and avant-garde electronic music elements to weave a deeply stirring percussion soundscape that resonates with the soul. 

     Liu holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the Haute École de Musique Lausanne. She was awarded the "Young Musician of the Year" at the 70th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. She has also clinched first prizes in several prominent competitions, including the Australian Marimba Competition and the Italy Percussion Competition.

Saxophone Recital by Charles Ng
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Date and time: October 8 (Thursday), 8pm

     The recital features a diverse repertoire blending elements of electronic music and percussion. Saxophonist Charles Ng will perform masterful compositions by Chen Gang, Reich, Swerts and more. Major highlights of the programme include the Asian premieres of Farias' "Cuaderno de la Pampa" and Preinfalk's "Little Bitter Sweet Symphony", as well as the world premiere of "Celestial Architecture", a joint creation by Ng and local composer Charles Kwong. At this concert, the multifaceted musical landscapes of the contemporary saxophone will be unveiled. 

     Ng is currently a member of the world-renowned, Austrian saxophone quintet Five Sax, as well as the co-director of the Dawn of Asia Saxophone Project. He performs frequently with various orchestras across the globe and has been invited to conduct masterclasses at major institutions and music festivals. He currently teaches at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.

Piano Recital by John Lee
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Date and time: October 27 (Tuesday), 8pm

     The recital presents piano miniatures spanning the Baroque, Romantic and 20th-century eras. Young pianist John Lee will perform masterworks by Bach, Rachmaninov, Liszt, Tchaikovsky and Puccini, alongside a selection of classic miniatures radiating Viennese and Spanish dance flair. These include Kreisler's "Liebesleid" and "Liebesfreud", together with pieces from Granados' "Goyescas". He will also perform virtuoso jazz-infused works, including Wild's "Embraceable You" from "7 Virtuoso Etudes based on George Gershwin" and Trenet's "En avril, à Paris", showcasing his formidable pianistic technique and artistic vision.

     Lee graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and furthered his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in the United Kingdom (UK), where he obtained his Master of Music degree with Distinction. He was awarded first prize in the Watford International Piano Competition in the UK and the Clamo Music International Piano Competition in Spain. His collaborative performance of Rachmaninov's work with the Orquesta Sinfónica de la Región de Murcia in Spain was met with critical acclaim. 

Dizi Recital by Candy Yau Kwan-lam
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Date and time: November 9 (Monday), 8pm

     The recital features a selection of 10 dizi pieces infused with regional musical styles of Guangdong, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Henan, Hebei, Tibet and Xinjiang. The programme includes timeless classics such as "Wujiang Scenery", "Birds in Shade" and "Three Five Seven", alongside contemporary masterpieces like "Wilderness" and "Horizon". Young dizi performer Candy Yau will be joined by her harmonious musical collaborators, including Chan Kai-him (huqin), Lam Pui-kuen (huqin), Lo Hok-chun (percussion), Chan Wing-hei (yangqin), Chan Sze-tung (ruan) and Liu Tsz-shing (piano), to present the rich expressiveness of dizi music, integrating wind, bowed and plucked strings, percussion and piano accompaniment, offering music lovers a musical feast that traverses the landscapes of the country.

     Yau won the gold award in the fifth "Song Ting Cup" National Dizi and Xiao Invitational Competition (Professional Youth category). She currently serves as a guest musician for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble, as well as a member of the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble and a Music Office Part-time Instructor (Dizi).

     The above-mentioned recitals will be held at the Theatre of Hong Kong City Hall with tickets priced at $220. Tickets will be available from June 17 (Wednesday) onwards at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. A 25 per cent early bird discount will be offered from June 17 until July 7 (Tuesday) for each purchase of two or more standard tickets of the music programmes under the "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2026. Package discounts and Group Booking discounts are also available. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1985.html.

     In addition to the above-mentioned music programmes, the "Hong Kong Artists" Series 2026 will present more dance programmes. Programme details and booking schedules will be announced in due course.

Ends/Monday, June 15, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:25

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