Hong Kong Philharmonic’s “Schumann Fest”:
- Schumann 1 & 2 (Jan 17 & 18)
- Chamber Music Concert (Jan 22)
- Schumann 3 & 4 (Jan 24 & 25)
- Lieder Recital (Jan 25)
- Educational Recital by Dr. Richard Kogan (Jan 19)

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[13 January 2014, Hong Kong] Robert Schumann stands at the very heart of Romantic music. Into his music he poured his most personal and heartfelt emotions. In a two-week festival, the Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) explores this great genius, performing all four symphonies, two concertos, selected chamber music, lieder and bringing an educational recital by a psychiatrist.
 
In “Schumann 1 & 2” (Jan 17 & 19), conductor Hans Graf and the HK Phil perform the first two symphonies by Schumann. In the words of the composer, his Symphony no. 1 Spring   was ‘born in a fiery hour’. Filled with longing for spring, it speaks with confidence, power and hope. In stark contrast, the second symphony was created as part of a healing process after a period of depression – moving from quiet resolve to triumphant redemption. Sandwiched between these two symphonies is the lyrical Cello Concerto, featuring cellist Li-Wei Qin.

In “Chamber Music Concert” (Jan 22), phenomenal pianist Zhang Haochen, together with four members of the HK Phil – Jing Wang (Concertmaster), Fan Ting(Principal Second Violin),Andrew Ling (Principal Viola) and Richard Bamping(Principal Cello) bring you Schumann’s Piano Quintet, op. 44, which was dedicated to his wife, the great pianist Clara Schumann. The concert also features Schumann’s String Quartet, op. 41 no. 1.

In “Schumann 3 & 4” (Jan 24 & 25), conductor Johannes Wildner and the HK Phil perform the last two symphonies by Schumann. Named after the region where Schumann had taken up a new posting, Symphony no. 3 Rhenish   resounds with bright optimism, tempered by solemn processional music. His last symphony, which depicts a journey from darkness into a blaze of light, reaches the apogee of German romanticism. Between the symphonies, the young piano star Zhang Haochen plays Schumann’s Piano Concerto, a robust dialogue for piano and orchestra written for his beloved wife.

In “Lieder Recital” (Jan 25), baritone Thomas Oliemans and pianist Paolo Giacometti bring you a lieder recital, highlighting the split sides of Schumann’s problematic personality. The first half contains two best loved song cycles from the productive song year 1840: Liederkreis and Dichterliebe. The second half explores a much darker, later and less known side of Schumann’s lieder, which were composed in 1850. By this time Schumann’s mental illness was becoming apparent.

Apart from Schumann’s symphonies, chamber works and lieder, there will be an educational recital by Dr. Richard Kogan on “Schumann: Music, Mood Swings and Madness” (Jan 19). A concert pianist and psychiatrist, Dr. Richard Kogan plays excerpts from Schumann’s music and illustrates stories about the composer who suffered mental illness. This free recital is co-presented by Premiere Performances of Hong Kong, as part of the 5th Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival 2014.

“Schumann 1 & 2” will be held on 17 & 18 January 2014 (Fri & Sat), 8PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: $320, $240, $180, $120, are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

“Chamber Music Concert” will be held on 22 January 2014 (Wed), 8PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: $300, $220, $160, $120, are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

“Schumann 3 & 4” will be held on 24 & 25 January 2014 (Fri & Sat), 8PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: $320, $240, $180, $120, are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

“Lieder Recital” will be held on 25 January 2014 (Sat), 3PMin the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: $300, $220, $160, $120, are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

“Educational Recital by Dr. Richard Kogan” will be held on 19 January 2014 (Sun), 3:30PMin the Hong KongJockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA. Admission is free. For registration, please visit www.pphk.org.

Artists

Hans Graf, conductor [full biography]
Known for his diverse repertoire and creative programming, distinguished Austrian conductor Hans Graf is one of today's most highly respected musicians. Music Director of Houston Symphony since 2001, he has previously led the Calgary Philharmonic for eight seasons, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine for six years, and the Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra from 1984 to 1994.

Li-Wei Qin, cellist [full biography]
An exclusive Universal Music China Artist, Li-Wei Qin was praised for ‘his artistry, his brilliant virtuosity and his very refined musicality and sincerity of interpretation’, following the 11th Tchaikovsky International Competition where he was awarded the Silver Medal. He has also won First Prize in the Naumburg Competition in 2001.

Johannes Wildner, conductor [full biography]
Born in Austria, Johannes Wildner studied conducting, violin and musicology. At the beginning of his career, he spent 10 years as a violinist in the Vienna Philharmonic. After being Chief Conductor of Prague State Opera and First Permanent Conductor of Leipzig Opera, Johannes Wildner was General Music Director of the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Westphalia (Germany) for 10 years from 1997. He is now Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra in London.

Zhang Haochen, pianist [full biography]
Since his gold medal at the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2009, Chinese pianist Zhang Haochen has captivated audiences around the world, with his acclaimed performances in the United States, Europe, Asia and beyond. Zhang is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied under Gary Graffman.

Thomas Oliemans, baritone [full biography]
Born in Amsterdam in 1977, the Dutch baritone Thomas Oliemans studied with Margreet Honig and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. He made his opera début in 2002 with the Nationale Reisopera of The Netherlands as the Father in Hans Werner Henze’s Pollicino. In 2005 he made his début at the Salzburg Festival as Gonsalvo Fieschi in Schreker's Die Gezeichneten   conducted by Kent Nagano. Oliemans has collaborated with conductors as Kent Nagano, Edo de Waart, Jaap van Zweden and Riccardo Chailly.

Schumann 1 & 2
17 & 18 | 1 | 2014
FRI & SAT 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$320 $240 $180 $120
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above

Click the thumbnail to download photos
(From left: Hans Graf, Li-Wei Qin)

Chamber Music Concert
22 | 1 | 2014
WED 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$300 $220 $160 $120
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above
 

Click the thumbnail to download photos
Zhang Haochen (From top left: Jing Wang, Fan Ting; from bottom left: Andrew Ling, Richard Bamping)

Schumann 3 & 4
24 & 25 | 1 | 2014
FRI & SAT 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$320 $240 $180 $120
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above
 

Click the thumbnail to download photos
(From left: Johannes Wildner, Zhang Haochen)

Lieder Recital
25 | 1 | 2014
SAT 3PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$300 $220 $160 $120
Available at URBTIX now
For ages 6 and above
 

Click the thumbnail to download photos
(From left: Thomas Oliemans, Paolo Giacometti) Thomas Oliemans, photo credit: Marco Borggreve

Educational Recital by Dr. Richard Kogan
Schumann: Music, Mood Swings and Madness
19 | 1 | 2014
SUN 3:30PM
HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre, HKAPA
Admission is free. For registration, please visit www.pphk.org.

Co-presenter: Premiere Performances of Hong Kong, as part of the 5th Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival 2014
 

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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