Lang Lang and Jaap van Zweden with the HK Phil
for 2 nights on 2 different concertos (Mozart and Tchaikovsky)
(18 & 19 December 2014)

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[28 November 2014, Hong Kong] Over two nights superstar pianist Lang Lang plays two different concertos in collaboration with Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil). The concerts will be held on 18 & 19 December in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

On the first night we hear Mozart at his most tempestuous and emotional; on the second it is Tchaikovsky at his most passionate and romantic in the immortal first concerto. Mozart’s Piano Concerto no. 24 is often regarded as the inspiration behind Beethoven’s epic concertos. Mozart wrote it in just three weeks, but hastily written it has nevertheless been described by Georges Back as “one of the finest things conceived by human genius”.

Ranking as one of the best loved and frequently performed of all piano concertos, Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto grabs the listener’s attention with its unforgettable pattern of four descending notes followed by a succession of crashing piano chords.

The HK Phil will also perform Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, which Tchaikovsky dedicated to his patroness Nadezdha von Meck. The piece is said to be the first full expression of his artistic voice and a coming-of-age for the composer as an artist. The opening bars represent, as Tchaikovsky put it, “the fatal power which prevents one from attaining the goal of happiness.”

 

Sponsor of 18 Dec 2014 concert:	Sponsor of 19 Dec 2014 concert:

Masterworks: Lang Lang² will be held on 18 & 19 December 2014 (Thu & Fri) at 8PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced: $1980, $1280, $980, $480 are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

Free Pre-concert talks are available for both nights:

Artists
Jaap van Zweden, conductor [full biography]
Amsterdam-born Jaap van Zweden is one of today’s most sought-after conductors. Named Musical America’s Conductor of the Year for 2012, he has been Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra since 2012/13 season.

The maestro has recently conducted the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony to high acclaims.

At the age of nineteen, Jaap was appointed as the youngest Concertmaster ever of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Maestro van Zweden is also currently Music Director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Honorary Chief Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Honorary Conductor of the Radio Chamber Philharmonic.

Lang Lang, piano [full biography]
Heralded as the “hottest artist on the classical music planet” by The New York Times and the “world’s ambassador of the keyboard” by The New Yorker, Lang Lang has played sold out concerts in every major city in the world.

In 2008, Lang Lang was featured in concert with jazz pianist Herbie Hancock at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, and was a featured performer at the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies. In 2009, Lang Lang appeared in the Time's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Lang Lang was chosen as an official worldwide ambassador for the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Having performed for numerous international dignitaries, he most recently performed for President Barack Obama and President Hu Jin-tao at the White House State Dinner and on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert for Elizabeth II.

Masterworks: Lang Lang²
18 & 19 | 12 | 2014
THU & FRI 8PM
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$1980 $1280 $980 $480
Tickets are now available at URBTIX
For ages 6 and above

Click the thumbnail to download photos
Jaap van Zweden Photo Credit: Cheung Chi Wai	Lang Lang Photo Credit: Harald Hoffmann	The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Photo Credit: Keith Hiro / HK Phil

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 Orchestra
Music Director: Jaap van Zweden The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is the city’s largest and busiest musical organisation and is a vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural life. With its roots stretching back well over a century, the HK Phil made its professional début in 1974. It 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 200,000 music lovers. Through its acclaimed education programme, over 40,000 young people have learned about orchestral music last year. 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.

The Swire Group has been the Principal Patron of the HK Phil since 2006. Through this sponsorship, which is the largest corporate donation in the orchestra’s history, Swire also endeavours to promote artistic excellence, foster access to classical music and stimulate cultural participation in Hong Kong, and to enhance Hong Kong’s reputation as one of the great cities of the world.

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 and Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle.

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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