For Immediate Release

Transcription

1 For Immediate Release 7 June 2011 Hong Kong Brilliant pianist Joyce Yang & violinist Midori join Maestro to celebrate the HKPO s Tchaikovsky Festival Maestro, the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) will return to Hong Kong to lead the HKPO in a three-week celebration of Tchaikovsky, the Tchaikovsky Festival (17 June 2 July ). Joining Maestro de Waart in this special occasion are rising pianist Joyce Yang and star violinist Midori. Tchaikovsky Festival comprises three brilliant programmes which include six of the composer s best-loved classics including his Piano Concerto No.1, Violin Concerto, Symphony No.4 No.6 and Swan Lake Suite etc. The opening programme will be Tchaikovsky Festival: Joyce Yang s Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No.1 held on 17&18 June 2011 (Fri & Sat), 8pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tchaikovsky Festival: Midori s Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto will be held on 24&25 June 2011 (Fri & Sat), 8pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The opening performance is sponsored by CIC Investor Services Limited. The 2010/11 Season Finale, Tchaikovsky Festival: De Waart s Pathétique will be held on 1&2 July 2011 (Fri & Sat), 8pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Free pre-concert talks will be held for all concerts. Please visit for further information., conductor Mahler's majesty is de Waart's triumph." --- South China Morning Post Renowned as an "orchestral builder", Maestro, Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the HKPO has the enviable ability to transform his orchestras into world-class ensembles. De Waart has held such distinguished positions as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Sydney Symphony and the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Opera, as well as Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony and Minnesota Orchestras. He is also Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Partner of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. Last September, the Orchestra undertook a critically-acclaimed China tour of Shanghai, Xi an and Beijing under the leadership of Maestro de Waart. The first of which was an Expo 2010 programme.

2 Joyce Yang, pianist Her virtuosity and command were never in doubt --- The New York Times Critically acclaimed as the most gifted young pianist of her generation with a million-volt stage presence, pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences around the globe with her stunning virtuosity combined with heartfelt lyricism and interpretive sensitivity. Just twenty-four, she has established herself as one of the leading artists of her generation through her innovative solo recitals and notable collaborations with the world s top orchestras. In June 2005, Ms. Yang came to international attention when she became the Silver Medalist of the 12th Van Cliburn International Competition. Born in Seoul, Korea, Ms. Yang received her first piano lesson at age four. In 1997, Ms. Yang moved to the United States to begin studies at the Pre-College division of the Juilliard School in New York with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky. During her first year at Juilliard, she won its Pre-College Division Concerto Competition, resulting in a performance of the Haydn Concerto in D major with the Juilliard Pre-College Chamber Orchestra. In 2010 she was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant, one of the most prestigious prizes in classical music. Midori, violin Her spitfire energy excitingly takes command --- Financial Times Since her début at the age of 11 with the New York Philharmonic over 25 years ago, the violinist Midori has established a record of achievement which sets her apart as a master musician, an innovator, and a champion of the developmental potential of children. Named a Messenger of Peace by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2007, she has created a new model for young artists who seek to balance the joys and demands of a performing career at the highest level with a hands-on investment in the power of music to change lives. In 1992 Midori founded Midori & Friends, a non-profit organization in New York, which brings music education programs to thousands of underprivileged children each year. Two other organizations, Music Sharing, based in Japan, and Partners in Performance, based in the US, also bring music closer to the lives of people who may not get involved in the arts. Her commitment to community collaboration and outreach extends beyond these foundations to her work with young violinists in master classes all over the world, to her Orchestra Residencies Program, and to her positions as Jascha Heifetz Chair and Chair of the Strings Department at the University of Southern California s Thornton School of Music. The electrifying opening of Tchaikovsky s First Piano Concerto stands as one of the most famous pieces of classical music ever written. The dazzling début performance of Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3 three years ago captivated the Hong Kong audience, brilliant young pianist Joyce Yang returns with another powerful performance of this work under the leadership of Maestro de Waart on 17&18 June. Hailed as one of the greatest of all violin concertos, Tchaikovksy s exudes passion, power, pathos and pleasure. Experience master violinist Midori s exceptional playing on 24&25 June. To close the 2010/11 season, Maestro de Waart picks a selection of Tchaikovsky s all time favourite classics including the Eugene Onegin: Polonaise, Swan Lake Suite and Symphony No.6 in B minor Pathétique.

3 Tchaikovsky Festival: Joyce Yang s Piano Concerto No. 1 17& fri & sat 8pm HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall HK$320 $240 $180 $120 Available at URBTIX from now Artists Joyce Yang conductor piano Click the thumbnail to download press images [Or hold Ctrl then click to open the file] An All-Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 Symphony No. 4 Pre-concert Activities 17 June, 2011 (Friday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (English) Raff Wilson, Director of Artistic Planning, HKPO 18 June, 2011 (Saturday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (Cantonese) AC2, 4/F, Administration Building, HK Cultural Centre Calvin Lai, Presenter / Producer, RTHK Radio 4

4 Tchaikovsky Festival: Midori s Violin Concerto 24& fri & sat 8pm HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall HK$500 $380 $280 $180 Available at URBTIX from now Opening Performance is sponsored by CIC Investor Services Limited Artists Midori conductor violin Click the thumbnail to download press images [Or hold Ctrl then click to open the file] An All-Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto Symphony No.5 Pre-concert Activities 24 June, 2011 (Friday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (English) Synthia Ko, Music Director & Chief Conductor, Guangxi Symphony Orchestra 25 June, 2011 (Saturday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (Cantonese) Synthia Ko, Music Director & Chief Conductor, Guangxi Symphony Orchestra

5 Tchaikovsky Festival: De Waart s Pathétique 1& fri & sat 8pm HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall HK$400 $300 $220 $140 Available at URBTIX from now Artists conductor Click the thumbnail to download press images [Or hold Ctrl then click to open the file] An All-Tchaikovsky Eugene Onegin: Polonaise Swan Lake Suite Symphony No.6 in B minor Pathétique Pre-concert Activities 1 July, 2011 (Friday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (English) Marc Rochester, musicologist 2 July, 2011 (Saturday) 7:15pm 7:45pm (Cantonese) Savio Lau, Music Editor, "HiFi Review"

6 Ticketing Information Credit Card Booking (852) Online Booking For programme enquiry, please call HKPO at (852) Or go on our website: Media Contact Paul Tam, Director of Marketing Tel: (852) Cell: (852) Alice Luk, Corporate Communications Officer Tel: (852) Cell: (852) Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Artistic Director and Chief Conductor The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) is one of Asia s leading orchestras. Enriching Hong Kong s cultural life for over a century, the Orchestra has grown into a formidable ensemble of Chinese and international talents, attracting world-class artists to collaborate on its stage. HKPO annually touches the lives of over 200,000 music lovers through more than 150 performances including its extensive education activities for children and adults alike, and free concerts such as the popular Swire Symphony under the Stars, and regular broadcasts and telecasts. Outside of Hong Kong, HKPO has made a number of critically acclaimed tours in Asia and Europe. In the 2010/11 season, the Orchestra undertook a China tour of Shanghai, Xi an and Beijing under the leadership of Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Maestro. The first of which was an Expo 2010 programme. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SWIRE is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is the Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre --- END ---