Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Announces its Third Season with Jaap van Zweden (2014/15 Season)

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[16 April 2014, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) today announces its exciting 2014/15 Season. In the third season with Maestro Jaap van Zweden, the orchestra will bring a great range of exciting music to music-lovers in Hong Kong, including the much anticipated performance of Das Rheingold, the first of the four operas that constitute Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen. The orchestra also introduces two new concert series, the Heroine Series presenting some of the greatest female musicians on the world’s stage, and the Classics Series that brings the world’s top musicians performing classical favourites.

Maestro Jaap van Zweden and the HK Phil
Music Director Jaap van Zweden has just announced his contract extension with the HK Phil to the end of 2018/19 season. In his third season with the HK Phil, the Maestro will lead the orchestra to present programmes in 11 weeks, plus an Europe Tour featuring Chinese violinist Ning Feng in seven cities including London, Vienna, Zurich, Eindhoven, Birmingham, Berlin and Amsterdam in February/March 2015. The orchestra will also be performing Wagner’s Das Rheingold (22 & 24 January 2015) under the baton of Maestro van Zweden.

Our 41st season begins with great company. In the Season Opening (5 & 6 September 2014), Jaap will be joined by one of his favourite collaborators, the world renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman in Brahms’ colossal Piano Concerto no. 1. Other celebrity artists joining Jaap this season include Frank Peter Zimmermann in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto (12 & 13 December 2014), Lang Lang in Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 24 (18 December 2014) and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no. 1 (19 December 2014), and Yuja Wong in both Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 3 (12 & 13 June 2015) and Brahms’ Piano Concerto no. 2 (19 & 20 June 2015).

Other exciting programmes to be conducted by Jaap include Mahler’s Symphony no. 5 (17 & 18 October 2014) and Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (5 & 6 June 2015).

Season Opening and Lang Lang concerts celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Wagner’s Das Rheingold – The Beginning of the Ring Cycle
Das Rheingold (22 & 24 January 2015) is the first of the four operas that constitute Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. In HK Phil’s 2014/15 Season, Maestro van Zweden and the orchestra begin an awesome journey by giving concert performances of Das Rheingold. A major international cast including Matthias Goerne will assemble in Hong Kong to tell Wagner’s great musical story.

Das Rheingold is a programme celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Return of the Maazel Project
The second year of our collaboration with Lorin Maazel focuses on the music of Johannes Brahms. Standing at the apex of German Romanticism, Brahms is one of the titans. In two special performances, Maestro Maazel gives us the chance to explore every note of his four symphonies (no. 4 & 1 on 12 November 2014 and no. 3 & 2 on 15 November 2014) under the baton of a master interpreter of his works.

Lorin Maazel is renowned for his work in nurturing young artists. Following the overwhelming response last year, the ‘Jockey Club Keys to Music Education Programme’ will continue the special education project “Share the Stage with Lorin Maazel and the HK Phil”. Selected young local instrumentalists from schools will play side by side with the HK Phil on stage under the baton of Maestro Maazel in a public working session.

Share the Stage with Lorin Maazel and the HK Phil is supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

Swire Maestro
Swire Maestro is about supporting the magic of the conductor on the podium, bringing to life music for which each conductor has a special affinity. This year, three of the conductors much loved by Hong Kong audiences feature – Johannes Wildner collaborates with principal viola Andrew Ling in Berlioz’s Harold in Italy (1 & 2 May 2015), Jun Märkl closes the orchestra’s season with Stravinsky’sThe Firebird Suite(3 & 4 July 2015) and Jaap van Zweden himself conducts Mahler’s Symphony no. 5 (17 & 18 October 2014).

New Series Introduced
Heroine
As a salute to the heroines of classical music, this season HK Phil proudly introduces the brand new Heroine Series. Several renowned female artists will be taking to the stage with the orchestra; they include Chinese soprano Ying Huang who sings a selection of Chinese art songs in A National Day Celebration (26 & 27 September 2014), conductor Zhang Xian, who brings a programme of Roman Festivals by Respighi and the world premiere of Chen Qigang’s new major work, an HK Phil co-commission (17 & 18 April 2015) and Yuja Wang, the 2011 Eco Klassik Young Artist, who is bringing a triptych of programmes including a piano recital (June 2015).

Opening performance of the National Day Celebration is sponsored by the Sunwah Group.
27 Sep performance of the National Day Celebration is sponsored by Wing Lung Bank

Classics
Famous international artists will be joining with the HK Phil in some of the world’s classical favourites. Frank Peter Zimmermann will join Jaap van Zweden in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto (12 & 13 December 2014), the young Uzbek pianist Behzod Abduraimov performs Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto no. 3 (9 & 10 January 2015), and the HK Phil Chorus will share the stage with conductor Brett Weymark and an international cast in Haydn’s great oratorioThe Creation (22 & 23 May 2015).

Haydn’s The Creation is sponsored by The Macallan.

Special Celebration Programmes
Hong Kong Cultural Centre – Celebrating 25 Years
Over the past 25 years the HK Phil has been proud to present the world’s greatest artists on the stage at our performing home, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. To mark this great occasion, we are proud to present Maestro Lorin Maazel on the birthday of this icon of Hong Kong’s artistic life (7 November 2014). Joined by pianist Rachel Cheung, Maestro Maazel will conduct the HK Phil and a massed chorus of Hong Kong singers in some of the greatest music for voice ever composed.

Radio 4, Live! A Birthday Celebration
To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of RTHK Radio 4, the HK Phil will perform a specially commissioned piece with narration by Kathy Lam and Jonathan Douglas of RTHK. Star percussionist Li Biao will join the orchestra to demonstrate the power of percussion. And finally Lawrence Foster brings his famous authority and style to Dvořák’s wonderful New WorldSymphony (5 & 6 December 2014).

Hong Kong Cultural Centre – Celebrating 25 Years celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre
Radio 4, Live! A Birthday Celebration is presented by HK Phil in celebration of RTHK Radio 4’s 40th Anniversary, and is also a programme celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

Holiday, Pops and more!
More happy, fun-filled concerts will be presented by HK Phil this season. Harry Wong brings the Christmas spirit to life in the best possible way with a full symphony orchestra in Harry Wong Celebrates Christmas (23 & 24 December 2014). HK Phil’s New Year’s Eve concerts, New Year in Vienna (30 & 31 December 2014), have become a Hong Kong tradition – come along to ring in the new year in true Viennese style with waltzes, polkas and some great fun.

We welcome back the incomparable vocalist, Lea Salonga, to our stage (30 & 31 January 2015). She will sing a selection of her greatest hits and new songs, including selections from Les Misérables, Miss Saigon and many more! More from Broadway in French flavours will be brought to you by conductor Randall Craig Fleischer in Broadway français! (29 & 30 May 2015).

Broadway français! is sponsored by The Macallan.

Do not miss a spectacular evening of music and images, featuring breathtaking high definition footage captured by the BBC for the landmark series ‘Planet Earth’. From the towering peaks of Nepal to the lush green of the Amazon, discover our stunning world through this unique BBC Planet Earth in Concert (6 & 7 February 2015).

BBC Planet Earth in Concert is sponsored by Great Eagle Holdings Limited.

Swire Denim and Swire Sunday Family
Swire Denim Series is perfect for busy urbanites. Concerts start at 9pm with engaging activities on and off stage. The first programme is the Hollywood Thrillers (28 & 29 November 2014) which includes classic soundtracks by Bernard Herrmann from North by Northwest, Psycho, Taxi Driver, as well as Bernstein’s On the Waterfront - Symphonic Suite. Other programmes in the series include Morrison All-Star Jazz (3 & 4 April 2015) featuring James Morrison, bringing great jazz from Armstrong to Zawinul. Some familiar classical pieces, including Pachelbel’s Canon and Albinoni’s Adagiocan also be heard just in Swire Denim Classic (26 & 27 June 2015), an informal concert of music from the very top of the classics chart. Also stay tuned to Jazz Up Your Kids (5 April 2015) and Classics For Family (28 June 2015) held on Sunday afternoon for the enjoyment of everyone in your family including kids ages 3 or above.

Swire Symphony Under The Stars
This biggest annual outdoor symphonic concert in Hong Kong will take place on 21 November 2014at the New Central Habourfront and isexpected to attract a crowd of over 15,000 music lovers.

Special Project
There will be two concerts as part of the special project featuring Hong Kong’s most promising young composers. Chamber Recital – 20th Century Masterpieces (8 May 2015) will be led by Bright Sheng, performing modern chamber music including Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. Hong Kong Composer Showcase (9 May 2015) presents a selection of new works by Hong Kong’s most promising composers.

Other Important Initiatives of the HK Phil

Education and Outreach
The HK Phil’s widely-acclaimed education programme brings wonderful music and a lot of fun to over 40,000 students every year. Supported by a 3-year sponsorship from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Jockey Club Keys to Music Education Programme invests in Hong Kong’s musical future through custom-designed schools’ concerts, ensemble visits, instrumental masterclasses and teachers’ seminars.
ktm@hkphil.org

The Tung Foundation – Young Audience Scheme
Young Audience Scheme offers young music lovers aged between 6 and18 the chance to get close to the orchestra. Members can buy tickets at special discounts, attend selected concerts and events for free, save on their shopping with participating merchants, and have a heap of fun! A Young Audience membership is the perfect gift for any musical child.
yas.hkphil.org

The Young Audience Scheme is sponsored by The Tung Foundation

Wing Hang Bank Community Concert
The Hong Kong Philharmonic – Wing Hang Bank Community Concert brings orchestral music and participative projects to disadvantaged kids in Hong Kong. This season the concert will be held in the New Territories during Spring 2015.
hkphil.org

The Hong Kong Philharmonic – Wing Hang Bank Community Concert is sponsored by Wing Hang Bank

Club Bravo
Club Bravo connects our orchestra with lovers of symphonic music and the HK Phil with its audience. Club Bravo members can enjoy exclusive access to a side of the orchestra not usually seen by an audience with backstage visits, meet-the-artist sessions, open rehearsals and much more. Members also enjoy special privileges including ticket discounts, priority booking, regular updates of HK Phil news and concert information, and a dedicated hotline.
bravo.hkphil.org

Connect with Us!
The HK Phil’s informative website hkphil.orgoffers the latest concert and ticketing information. Music lovers can also stay tuned through the HK Phil’s updates on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/HKPhil, Twitter at www.twitter.com/hkphilharmonicand Sina Weibo at www.weibo.com/hkpo. Video from the HK Phil is also available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/HKPhilharmonic

Radio and TV Broadcast by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK)
Music lovers can enjoy some of the most memorable performances by the HK Phil through the broadcasts of Radio Television Hong Kongwhich connect the HK Phil with an audience in all parts of the world.

The HK Phil would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the following partners for their support:
The Government of the HKSAR
Principal Patron SWIRE
Venue Partner Hong Kong Cultural Centre
 

HK Phil 2014/15 Season Launch Media Photos (Photographer: Cheung Chi Wai)
[Please click the thumbnails to download the images]

01.	HK Phil musicians play the first movement of Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E flat op. 20. From left to right: Mr Jing Wang, Mr Anders Hui, Mr Andrew Ling, Mr Richard Bamping, Ms Dora Lam, Ms Fu Shuimiao, Mr Cheng Li, Ms Zhao Yingna
02.	Mr Y.S. Liu, Chairman of the Board of the Governors, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, delivers his welcoming speech
03.	HK Phil Music Director Maestro Jaap van Zweden and Mr Raff Wilson, Director of Artistic Planning talk about the 2014/15 season
04.	Officiating Guests and other distinguished guests in group photos From left to right: Benedict Sin (Chair of the Finance Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society), Dr Lilian Leong, BBS, JP (Member of Board of Governors and Audience Development Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society), Michael MacLeod (Chief Executive, HK Phil), Laura Lau (Head of Philanthropy, The Swire Group Charitable Trust), Jaap van Zweden (Music Director, HK Phil), Betty Tam (Senior Manager (Culture), Home Affairs Bureau), Randa Wan (Chief Manager (Urban/Cultural Services), Leisure and Cultural Services Department), Mrs Janice Choi, MH (Member of Board of Governors cum Chair of Fundraising Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, and representative of Sunwah Group), Y. S. Liu (Chairman of the Board of Governors, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society)
05.	Officiating Guests and other distinguished guests in group photos From left to right: Rosanna Mak (Representative of Drs Charles & Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation), Ted Lipman (CEO, The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation), Maria Chan (Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications Department, Wing Lung Bank), Winnie Yip (Executive Manager, Charities (Projects), The Hong Kong Jockey Club), Benedict Sin (Chair of Finance Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society), Dr Lilian Leong, BBS, JP (Member of Board of Governors and Audience Development Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society), Michael MacLeod (Chief Executive, HK Phil), Laura Lau (Head of Philanthropy, The Swire Group Charitable Trust), Jaap van Zweden (Music Director, HK Phil), Betty Tam (Senior Manager (Culture), Home Affairs Bureau), Randa Wan (Chief Manager (Urban/Cultural Services), Leisure and Cultural Services Department), Mrs Janice Choi, MH (Member of Board of Governors cum Chair of Fundraising Committee, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, and representative of Sunwah Group), Y. S. Liu (Chairman of Board of Governors, The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society), May Wong (Representative of The Macallan, Product Manager, The Edrington)

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 40th 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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