HK Phil Czech Dances – Jakub Hrůša Conducts Dvořák’s Symphony 8 and Liza Ferschtman Plays Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto
(19&20 Sept)

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[25 July 2014, Hong Kong] Jakub Hrůša is fast becoming one of the hottest conductors to watch in the world. On 19 & 20 September, Hrůša will bring music from his native Czech culture to the stage with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) – charming folk dances from the Lachian region and Dvořák’s delightful Symphony no. 8. Joining them, Dutch violinist Liza Ferschtman will perform Stravinsky’s fascinating Violin Concerto. You’ll leave City Hall dancing!

Janáček and Dvořák are the best known Czech composers worldwide. Janáček was inspired by Moravian and other Slavic folk music to create a distinctive and infectious musical style. His six Lachian Dances preserve and celebrate the culture and traditions which were vanishing from his own Lachian region.

Dvořák’s Symphony no. 8 was mostly written in the Bohemian countryside which Dvořák adored, and it was finished in Prague. This wonderful tuneful work reveals the composer’s fondness for Czech and Slavonic folk music. Dvořák conducted the 1890 première and believed he had created something truly different from other symphonies”.

“refined beauty and character… Her sound was melting and lustrous”
--- The New York Times

In composing his Violin Concerto, Stravinsky collaborated closely with violinist Samuel Dushkin who provided technical details about the violin and revealed to the composer fascinating possibilities from the instrument. Known for her passionate performances, interesting programmes and communicative qualities on stage, Dutch violinist Liza Ferschtman’s interpretation of this powerfully rhythmic work with the HK Phil is very much anticipated.

City Hall Series: Czech Dances will be held on 19&20 September 2014 (Fri & Sat), 8PM, in the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.Tickets priced: HK$320, HK$260, HK$220, HK$180 are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

Artists

Jakub Hrůša, conductor [full biography]
Born in the Czech Republic and described by Gramophone as “on the verge of greatness”, Jakub Hrůša is Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Prague Philharmonia and Principal Guest Conductor of Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted many renowned European orchestras including the BBC Symphony, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and Royal Scottish National. His recordings with Prague Philharmonia have also received critical acclaims.

Liza Ferschtman, violin [full biography]
Dutch violinist Liza Ferschtman is known for her passionate performances, interesting programmes and communicative qualities on stage. She has performed with world class orchestras including Royal Concertgebouw, BBC National Orchestra of Wales and London Philharmonic, and worked with renowned conductors including Neeme Järvi, Leonard Slatkin and Jaap van Zweden.

City Hall Series: Czech Dances
19 & 20 | 9 | 2014
FRI & SAT 8PM
Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall
HK$320 $260 $220 $180
Tickets now available at URBTIX
For ages 6 and above

Click the thumbnail to download photos
Jakub Hrůša Photo Credit: PKF-V.Krsul	Liza Ferschtman Photo Credit: Marco Borggreve	Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Photo credit: Cheung Chi Wai / HK Phil

Ticketing Information
Credit Card Booking
+852 2111 5999
Online Booking
www.urbtix.hk

For programme enquiry, please call HK Phil at
+852 2721 2332
Or go on our website:
www.hkphil.org

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Music Director: Jaap van Zweden

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is the city’s largest and busiest musical organisation and is a vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural life. This season it celebrates its 41st professional season, but its roots stretch back well over a century. The HK Phil has now evolved into an orchestral powerhouse in the region, and an acclaimed cultural centrepiece of Asia’s World City.

The HK Phil is formed on the belief that a great city deserves a great orchestra. Annually it presents over 150 concerts attracting over 200,000 music lovers. Featuring an enviable roster of international conductors and soloists, the HK Phil performs a broad variety of music, with many concerts presented free; among them the annual Swire Symphony Under The Stars. Through its acclaimed education programme, over 40,000 young people learned about orchestral music in the last year.

The Swire Group Charitable Trust has been the Principal Patron of the HK Phil since 2006. Swire’s enlightened support, the most generous in the orchestra’s history, continues to enable the orchestra to reach towards high artistic goals.

The HK Phil’s members come from every corner of the globe, with a strong core of Hong Kong musicians. In September 2012 Jaap van Zweden became the orchestra’s Music Director. Future years will see an ambitious series of new projects, with major international tours, renewed local partnerships, and large-scale concert events. The HK Phil has commenced a multi-CD recording project for Naxos, featuring works by Chinese composers.

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 a Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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