Hong Kong Philharmonic’s
“Jaap’s Shostakovich 5” (13 & 14 Dec)
and “Jaap’s Mozart & Mahler” (18 & 19 Dec)

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[6 December 2013, Hong Kong]The Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) and Music Director Jaap van Zwedenproudly present two wonderful programmes in two weeks, “Jaap’s Shostakovich 5” (13 & 14 Dec) and “Jaap’s Mozart & Mahler” (18 & 19 Dec); each includes an exquisite concerto and a powerful symphony.

In “Jaap’s Shostakovich 5”, Maestro Jaap van Zweden and the HK Phil bring two works; both shocked the audience in their premieres. Written for the leading violinist of his time, Franz Clement, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto is a work which makes no compromise for soloist or listener – its arrival changed the idea of a concerto forever. The distinguished Chinese violinist Ning Feng will present his unique interpretation on this masterpiece. In perhaps his most fearful hours of oppression, Shostakovich wrote that his Symphony No. 5 was a ‘soviet artist’s response to just criticism’, but there is nothing meek about the struggle and triumph he expressed in one of the 20th century’s most awe-inspiring scores. The HK Phil will bring this programme to the Zhongshan Hall in Taipei, as part of Hong Kong Week 2013@Taipei. (For details of the Taiwan tour, please refer to press release dated 24-09-2013)

In “Jaap’s Mozart & Mahler”, Maestro Jaap van Zweden wants Hong Kong to witness The Jussen Brothers, the Dutch sensation who are fast becoming famous for their stylish and perfectly unanimous piano playing. Lucas and Arthur Jussen will perform the charming Double Piano Concerto by Mozart. Opening with sleighbells, and concluding with a child’s vision of heaven, Mahler’s Symphony No.4 is among his sunniest works – perhaps the perfect prelude to Christmas. Joining Jaap van Zweden and the HK Phil on stage is the beautiful and talented soprano Chen Reiss, who was featured in the soundtrack of the film Das Parfum, alongside the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle.

“Jaap’s Shostakovich 5” will be held on 13 & 14 December 2013 (Fri & Sat), 8PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Free Pre-concert talks given by conductor Synthia Ko in English (Fri, 13 Dec) and in Cantonese (Sat, 14 Dec) will be held at 7:15pm on the 4/F Foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Auditoria Building. Tickets priced: $480, $320, $220, $160, are now available at URBTIX. For Enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

“Jaap’s Mozart & Mahler” will be held on 18 & 19 December 2013 (Wed & Thu), 8PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Free Pre-concert talks given by musicologist Dr. Stefan Au in English (Wed, 18 Dec) and by critic Savio Lau in Cantonese (Thu, 19 Dec), will be held at 7:15pm on the 4/F Foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Auditoria Building. Tickets priced: $480, $320, $220, $160, are now available at URBTIX. For Enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

Artists

Jaap van Zweden, conductor[full biography]
Amsterdam-born Jaap van Zweden is one of today’s most sought-after conductors. Recently named Musical America ’ s Conductor of the Year for 2012, he has been Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic since 2012/13 season. Maestro van Zweden is currently Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Honorary Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Honorary Conductor of the Radio Chamber Philharmonic.

Ning Feng, violinist [full biography]
Born in Chengdu, China, Ning Feng studied at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London. The recipient of prizes at the Hanover International, Queen Elisabeth and Yehudi Menuhin International violin competitions, Ning Feng was First Prize winner of the 2005 Michael Hill International Violin Competition (New Zealand), and in 2006 he won first prize in the International Paganini Competition.

Chen Reiss, soprano [full biography]
Soprano Chen Reiss has performed leading roles at the Vienna State Opera, Théâtre des Champs- Élysées, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Hamburg State Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Israeli Opera. In mid-November and early December 2013, Chen Reiss just sang Pamina in the new production of Magic Flute   at Vienna State Opera, with Christoph Eschenbach conducting. Chen Reiss was featured in the soundtrack of the film Das Parfum, alongside the Berlin Philharmonic and Sir Simon Rattle. Her solo album, LIAISONS,  won the Diapason D’or in 2011.

The Jussen Brothers, pianists [full biography]
Awarded Edison Luister Public Award and Concertgebouw Young Talent Award, The Jussen Brothers performed in the 20th Anniversary Concert of the Master Pianist Series at the Concertgebouw stepping in for Martha Argerich. Lucas and Arthur are the first Dutch artists to have signed a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon. Arthur is also the youngest artist ever that has signed a contract with DG. Their first two recordings both received the Gold Album status.

Jaap’s Shostakovich 5
13 & 14 | 12 | 2013
FRI & SAT 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$480 $320 $220 $160
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above

Click the thumbnail to download photos
Jaap van Zweden photo credit: Bert Hulselmans Ning Feng photo credit: Simon Wall / Intermusica HK Phil photo credit: HK Phil / Cheung Chi-wai

Jaap’s Mozart & Mahler
18 & 19 | 12 | 2013
WED & THU 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$480 $320 $220 $160
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above
 

Click the thumbnail to download photos
The Jussen Brothers photo credit: Marco Borggreve

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
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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