A Tale of Two Cities II: HK Phil & NCPAO Woodwind Quintets (18 June)

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[17 June 2019, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) and the China NCPA Orchestra (NCPAO) embark on their second musical journey. This year, two woodwind quintets from the two orchestras join hands to present two performances of the same fabulous programme in two cities – 13 June (last Thursday) at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Multi-Functional Theatre in Beijing and 18 June (tomorrow) at the Tai Kwun JC Cube in Hong Kong. Once again the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing supports this collaboration with the aim of strengthening cultural links between Hong Kong and Mainland China and between the two cities.  

Woodwind quintets are relatively uncommon, but composers who write them relish the opportunities for varied music layers and graceful colours. Audiences in both cities will also have the opportunity to experience this unique musical sound through this programme presented by the two woodwind quintets – the HK Phil Quintet (Megan Sterling, Principal Flute; Michael Wilson, Principal Oboe; John Schertle, Co-Principal Clarinet; Benjamin Moermond, Principal Bassoon; and Lin Jiang, Principal Horn) and the NCPAO Quintet (Yeh I-jeng, Principal Flute; Zhou Yang, Principal Oboe; Jaume Sanchis, Principal Clarinet; Ji Jingjing, Principal Bassoon; and Liu Xiaoxin, Principal Horn).

The HK Phil Quintet will open the programme with the lyric warmth of Wind Quintet no. 3, written by David Maslanka, who died in 2017. Each of its three movements is Inspired by, and incorporates several Bach chorale melodies.

The NCPAO Quintet will then transport the audience to France with the Wind Quintet in G minor written in 1876 by the noted French flautist and composer, Paul Taffanel, who dedicated the work to his teacher. The music is subtle, graceful and elegant, but with moments of brilliant virtuosity.

19th century composer Joachim Raff was a prolific composer who was better known in his lifetime than he is today, but he had a gift for creating charming and colourful chamber music, and one of his chamber masterpieces closes the concert. The Sinfonietta is scored for 10 wind players and will be performed jointly by the HK Phil Quintet and the NCPAO Quintet to round off the musical evening.

A Tale of Two Cities II: HK Phil & NCPAO Woodwind Quintets will be held on 18 June (Tue), 7:30PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: HK$200 / $150 (concessionary discount) are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org. 

Artists
HK Phil Quintet [full biography] 
Megan Sterling, flute
Since taking up the position of Principal Flute of the HK Phil in 2002, Megan Sterling has enjoyed working with some of the world's top conductors and soloists. She has appeared several times as soloist with the HK Phil, as well as in recitals, radio broadcasts, Canto-pop recordings and chamber ensembles in Hong Kong and the region. 

Michael Wilson, oboe
Michael Wilson was appointed Principal Oboe of the HK Phil in 2009. Prior to this he was Co-Principal Oboe from 2005. Before moving to Hong Kong, he was working regularly with London-based orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra with which he toured extensively in Germany under the direction of then Chief Conductor, Kurt Masur. 

John Schertle, clarinet
Performing with the HK Phil for over two decades, Co-Principal Clarinettist John Schertle appears regularly as Guest Principal Clarinet with orchestras in the region. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School, the National Arts Club Competition prize winner gives masterclasses in Asia and serves on the faculties of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Hong Kong Baptist University. 

Benjamin Moermond, bassoon
Benjamin Moermond has been Principal Bassoon with the HK Phil since joining in 2010 and is active teaching and performing in Hong Kong and throughout the region. As an educator he has been on faculty for the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. 

Lin Jiang, horn
Principal Horn of the HK Phil, Lin Jiang is considered an extraordinarily gifted horn player of his generation. He continued his studies at Scotch College Melbourne, the Victorian College of the Arts and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music degree with honours. Being one of Australia's most sought-after horn soloists, he has performed solos with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony orchestras. 


NCPAO Quintet [full biography]  
I-jeng Yeh, flute
I-jeng has been appointed as principal flute in China National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, China. During her time in NCPA, she has worked under baton of Christoph Eschenbach, Valery Gergiev, Fabio Luisi, etc. In addition, she has collaborated with Philadelphia Orchestra and Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra. 

Yang Zhou, oboe
He got his bachelor’s degree in China Central Conservatory of Music. Then he continued his study of oboe performance in Ecole normale de musique de Paris, Conservatoire National de Région de Paris and Conservatoire National de Région de Versailles. He is now the oboe principal of China NCPA Orchestra. 

Jaume Sanchis, clarinet
He studied at the Music Conservatory of his city and later he moved to Vienna awarded with a scholarship by the "Valencia Conselleria d'Educació i Ciència", where he studied at the Vienna Music University with Professor Horst Hajek. He holds a chamber music and recitalist activity that has led him to perform in Spain, Austria, Italy, United Kingdom, and China. 

Jingjing Ji, bassoon
Jingjing Ji, bassoon player who has travelled in Germany for years. In 2007, Jingjing started working in Rheinischen Philharmonie Koblenz as bassoon associate principal, during which he has cooperated with famous musicians for a large number of chamber works. He has been working in China NCPA Orchestra as bassoon principal from 2010. 

Xiaoxin Liu, horn
He got master’s degree and highest performer's diploma under the tuition of Prof. Bruno Schneider. He was an intern in Opernhaus Zuerich during his studying in Germany and was the guest horn player of Verbier Festival. He is now the horn principal of China NCPA Orchestra. 


A TALE OF TWO CITIES II: HK PHIL & NCPAO WOODWIND QUINTETS 
18 | 6 | 2019 
TUE 7:30PM 
JC Cube, Tai Kwun 
HK$200 / $150 (concessionary discount) 
Tickets are now available at URBTIX.
For ages 6 and above 

Supporting Organisation: the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing

Artists

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Programme