HK Phil Fundraising Concert 2024
Play with the Phil was a Shining Success
9 FEB 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org
Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org
[9 February 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a remarkable Fundraising Concert at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on 4 February 2024 (Sunday). Under the leadership of the HK Phil’s Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman, the fundraising concert offered unique opportunities for music-loving luminaries as young as six years old to share the stage with the esteemed members of the HK Phil.
The concert was a resounding success, raising over HK$2,000,000 to support the HK Phil’s long-term development, including our music education and outreach initiatives, bringing valuable experience and knowledge of music to children across the city.
The concert was a celebration of talent and community spirit. The stellar performers and composers include (in alphabetical order of surname): Mr Richard Bamping, Ms Charis Chan, Ms Krista Chan, Ms Jamie Cheng, Mr Zachary Cheng Kin-chung, Chinese International School Symphony, Mr Chiu Sung-hong, Ms Lora Chow Hiu-ching, Mr Lewis Chung, Ms Bora Ding, Ms Ding Yijie, Mrs Helen Fong, Ms Isabelle Fuan, Grazioso Music Academy, Hong Kong Harp Chamber Music, Hong Kong International School Onsom Orchestra, Mr Tyler Kwok, Ms Ella Lam, Ms Ruda Lee, Mr Alston Daniel Leung, Malvern College Hong Kong, Mr Damon Meng, Ms China Pascual, Mr Marcel Schumacher, Ms Sharon Tse, Ms Charmaine Wong Cheuk-ying, Young Virtuosi HK, and Fe Yuen.
Among the highlights of the afternoon were:
- A diverse programme featuring solo concerto performances by musicians using different instruments, ranging from piano and string instruments to marimba and harp. Young talents from institutions such as the Hong Kong Harp Chamber Music, Grazioso Music Academy, and Young Virtuosi HK showcased their skills alongside seasoned professionals.
- Participation of an array of local school students, including Kowloon Tong School, St Paul’s Co-educational College, and Diocesan Girls’ School, as well as international schools, emphasising the rich tapestry of musical prowess and the cultural diversity of the event.
- Inclusion of orchestral groups from the Chinese International School, the Hong Kong International School, and Malvern College Hong Kong, further underscoring the collaborative and inclusive spirit of the afternoon.
- A poignant moment, sponsored by the Swire Group Charitable Trust, when Ding Yijie, a visually impaired artist from the Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, delivered a breathtaking solo violin recital, showcasing the power of music to transcend barriers.
- The enchanting performances of local talents such as Lora Chow, who graced the stage with her original composition, demonstrating her virtuosity as a soprano, pianist, and harpist.
- The notable debut of Lewis Chung's original score inspired by cubism art, which ingeniously merged elements of classical music with avant-garde jazz, captivating the audience with its dynamic energy and creativity.
The HK Phil would like to give its heartfelt thanks to the Fundraising Concert Organising Committee 2024:
Chair of Organising Committee
Ms Elizabeth Lo
Honorary Advisor
Ms Angela Yau
Members
Mr Edmond Cheuk
Ms Lora Chow
Mrs Jacqueline Pun Leung
Ms Ada Pong
Artist
Lio Kuokman, conductor [full biography]
Currently Resident Conductor of the HK Phil, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra, and Programme Director of the Macao International Music Festival, Lio Kuokman was praised by the Philadelphia Inquirer as “a startling conducting talent”. He won the second prize, Audience Prize and Orchestra Prize at the third Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris, and served as the first Chinese Assistant Conductor at the Philadelphia Orchestra. He has successfully collaborated with many leading orchestras across the globe.
Programme
Hong Kong International School Onsom Orchestra | TCHAIKOVSKY: Swan Lake, Act II Scene 10 |
Zachary Cheng & | VIVALDI: Concerto for 2 Cellos in G minor, RV 531: movement I |
Charis Chan | NEY ROSAURO: Marimba Concerto no. 1: IV. Despedida (Farewell) |
Lora Chow | LORA CHOW: Awakening |
Sharon Tse | MOZART: Piano Concerto no. 21 in C, K. 467: II. Andante |
Bora Ding | MOZART: Piano Concerto no. 23 in A, K. 488: II. Adagio |
Helen Fong | BEETHOVEN: Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat, op. 73, Emperor: III. Rondo: Allegro |
Isabelle Fuan & Ella Lam Yan-Laam | SCHUBERT: Marche militaire no. 1 in D, D. 733 |
Malvern College Hong Kong | SHOSTAKOVICH: Piano Concerto no. 2 in F, op. 102: II. Andante |
Damon Meng & Tyler Kwok | MOZART: Concerto for 2 Pianos in E flat, K. 365: II. Andante |
Hong Kong Harp Chamber Music | HANDEL: Harp Concerto in B flat, HWV 294: III. Allegro moderato |
Marcel Schumacher & | MACIEJ MAŁECKI: Concertino in an Ancient Style: III. Presto con grazia |
Jamie Cheng | DVOŘAK: Romance in F minor, op. 11 |
Ding Yijie | DE SARASATE: Zigeunerweisen, op. 20 |
Alston Daniel Leung | MENDELSSOHN: Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64: III. Allegro molto vivace |
Chiu Sung-hong | BRUCH: Violin Concerto no. 1 in G minor, op. 26: I. Prelude: Allegro moderato |
Ruda Lee & Krista Chan | BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance no. 5 in G minor (orch. PARLOW) & Joachim solo violin part |
Charmaine Wong | PAGANINI: Violin Concerto no. 2, op. 7, La Campanella: III. Rondo (arr. Daniel LING for viola solo) |
Grazioso Music Academy | VIVALDI: Concerto op. 3, no. 10 in B minor for 4 violins, cello and strings, RV 580: I. Allegro |
Fe Yuen | POPPER: Polonaise de Concert, op. 14 |
Young Virtuosi HK | VIVALDI: Violin Concerto in A minor, RV 356: I. Allegro |
Lewis Chung | LEWIS CHUNG: Voyage to a Staircase from Afar |
Chinese International School Symphony | MUSSORGSKY: Pictures at an Exhibition (orch. RAVEL): Promenade I & Baba Yaga |