Hong Kong Philharmonic -
Maestro Jaap van Zweden made his tour début with HK Phil
in a sold out concert in Taipei

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[3 January 2014, Hong Kong] Last month, the Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) made a historical return to Taiwan since 1993. It also marked our Music Director Jaap van Zweden’s tour début with the orchestra. On 11th Dec 2013, the HK Phil performed for a most enthusiastic audience in a sold out concert at the Zhongshan Hall in Taipei, as part of “Hong Kong Week 2013 @ Taipei”, presented by the Hong Kong – Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee in association with the Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office (Taiwan) (HKETCO).

The concert opened with Beethoven’s breathtaking Violin Concerto, featuring the young Chinese violinist Ning Feng. In the second half of the concert, Maestro Jaap van Zweden and the HK Phil dazzled the Taiwan audience with Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No.5, followed by Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op.46 No.8 as an encore. The concert received critical acclaim:

“The HK Phil played with precise texture, strong emotions within clear structure. It was profound.”

“In Shostakovich Symphony No.5, Maestro Jaap van Zweden and the HK Phil became one. The performance was precise, dramatic and with strong cohesion in this gigantic structure.”

“Delighted to meet old friends from the HK Phil and so glad to witness the new phase of HK Phil with Jaap van Zweden.”

“I congratulate the HK Phil and Maestro Jaap van Zweden for a most successful concert in Taipei. It was a touching experience for me and the enthusiastic audience in Taiwan”

“HK Phil’s historical return to Taiwan was received with an overwhelming response from the Taiwan audience. We are delighted that a musical bridge was built between the two cities.”

Many distinguished guests were present in the concert, including ECCPC Chairperson Mr. Charles Lee, Chairman of the Taiwan – Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Co-operation Council Mr. Liu Te-shun, Vice Chairperson of ECCPC Mr. David Lie, Convenor of the Hong Kong – Taiwan Cultural Co-operation Committee Mr. Fredric Mao and Director of HKETCO Mr. John Leung. Prominent guests from music scene in Taiwan included Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Mr. Lu Shao-chia and Executive Director of NSO Ms. Joyce Chiou.


The concert was sponsored by Fubon bank.


To further strengthen cultural exchange between the two cities, musicians from the HK Phil conducted two master-classes with the support of HKETCO. Concertmaster of the HK Phil, Jing Wang worked with students from the Taipei National University of the Arts in November. On the day of the concert, four woodwind principals – Megan Sterling (flute), Michael Wilson (oboe), Andrew Simon (clarinet) and Benjamin Moermond (bassoon) worked with students from Taipei National University of the Arts, National Taiwan Normal University and Soochow University.

HK Phil’s Taiwan Tour Press Photos Download:
/f/press_release/5934/Taiwan_Photo_2013.zip
For photos, please credit: HK Phil

Hong Kong Philharmonic
Music Director: Jaap van Zweden

As the city’s largest and busiest musical organisation, the Hong Kong Philharmonic is a vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural life. In 2013/14 the HK Phil celebrates its 40th professional season, but its roots stretch back well over a century. The HK Phil has now evolved into an orchestral powerhouse of 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 for 200,000 music lovers. Featuring an enviable roster of international and local artists, 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 last year.

The HK Phil’s members come from every corner of the globe, joining its 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 recently commenced a multi-CD recording project for Naxos, featuring works by Chinese composers.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic is financially supported by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
SWIRE is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic
The Hong Kong Philharmonic is a Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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