Legendary Pianist Marc-André Hamelin Showcases Virtuosity in
Recital with Works by Haydn, Brahms, Ravel and Stockhausen on
7 March and Joins Maestro Shao-Chia Lü
in Two Late-Romantic Showpieces on 9&10 March

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[30 January 2012 – Hong Kong] Canadian pianistMarc-André Hamelin is widely recognized as one of the world’s finest solo pianists, famed for his interest in unearthing forgotten musical treasures. On 7 March he will showcase his stunning virtuosity in the music from 18th to 20th centuries. His programme includes Haydn’s Sonata in E minor, Brahms’ Third Sonata, Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit and Stockhausen’s Klavierstück IX.

On 9 & 10 March, he will join Maestro Shao-Chia Lü and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) in two brilliant showpieces by Franck and Richard Strauss.

“The Art of Hamelin – "Marc-André in Recital" will be held on 7 March 2012 (Wed) and Great Performers: “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard” will be held on 9&10 March 2012 (Fri & Sat), both 8pm, in Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

Free pre-concert talks will be given on 9&10 March at 7:15pm also at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Enjoy a 10% discount with the purchase of the standard tickets for both The Art of Hamelin - "Marc-André in Recital" and “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard”.

Marc-André Hamelin, piano

"You might think the music would emerge under Hamelin's infallible hands with frigid perfection. In fact it takes on a vivid, unexpected colour...That's often the effect of Hamelin's super-clarity; it defamiliarises well-known things, in a fascinating way." 

--- The Telegraph

Long known for his bold exploration of unfamiliar piano repertory, Marc-André Hamelin has appeared as soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He has received nine Grammy nominations, including a 2010 nomination for a disc of his own compositions, Études and other works. His complete discography on the Hyperion label numbers more than forty albums, and includes concertos and works for solo piano by Alkan, Busoni, Godowsky and Medtner, as well as enthusiastically received performances of Brahms, Chopin, Haydn, Liszt and Schumann. His own Études are published by Edition Peters.

Hamelin was recently presented with a lifetime achievement award by the German Record Critic and was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2003 and a Chevalier de l’Ordre du Québec in 2004. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Canada.

Shao-Chia Lü, conductor

Taiwan-born Shao-Chia Lü studied music in Taipei, the USA, and Vienna. His training was topped off with three important first prizes at renowned international conductor competitions: Besancon, Trento and Amsterdam. In 1995 he began his opera career at the Komische Oper Berlin. Numerous guest performances followed including Australian Opera, the English National Opera and the Deutsche Oper Berlin. In 1998 he took over the position of General Music Director of both the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie Koblenz and the Koblenz Theatre.

Shao-Chia Lü is equally at home on the concert platform. In 1994 he made his début with the Munich Philharmonic replacing Sergiu Celibidache at the last moment, and has since worked repeatedly with many leading European orchestras as well as the most important orchestras of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Shao-Chia Lü is currently the Music Director of National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan.

Programme

Art of Hamelin - "Marc-André in Recital"

Come on a journey with legendary pianist Marc-André Hamelin as he traverses borders, centuries and styles in a truly amazing recital. From the elegance and refinement of 18th century Vienna – in the guise of a Haydn Sonata – to the cutting edge experimental music of the 20th century – hugely challenging music from the Father of Avant-garde, Karlheinz Stockhausen – via the shimmering fantasy-world of Ravel and the monumental intensity of Brahms, savour the matchless mastery of a pianist who has been described as one of “a handful of performers in any generation whose abilities defy the imagination”.

Great Performers: “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard”

Relish the dazzling opulence of a 19th century Viennese ballroom as seen through the musical eyes of Ravel and explore the wonders of a modern symphony orchestra as presented by one of the leading Polish composers of our time, Witold Lutoslawski. Between these two magnificent scores Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin takes centre-stage in two mighty late-Romantic showpieces for piano and orchestra, the sumptuous Symphonic Variations by César Franck, a man who turned his back on a glittering career as a concert pianist to provide posterity with some unforgettable musical masterpieces, and the only work for piano and orchestra by the legendary opera composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.

The Art of Hamelin - "Marc-André in Recital"
7 | 3| 2012 WED 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$380 $280 $200 $140
Available at URBTIX now

Enjoy a 10% discount with the purchase of the standard tickets for both The Art of Hamelin - "Marc-André in Recital" and “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard”.

Click the thumbnail to download photos

Great Performers: “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard”
9&10 | 3| 2012
FRI & SAT 8PM
HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$400 $300 $220 $140
Available at URBTIX now

Enjoy a 10% discount with the purchase of the standard tickets for both The Art of Hamelin - "Marc-André in Recital" and “Hamelin, The Piano Wizard”.

Click the thumbnail to download photos

Ticketing Information

Credit Card Booking
(852) 2111 5999
Online Booking
www.urbtix.hk

For programme enquiry, please call HKPO at
(852) 2721 2030

HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
Edo de Waart
Artistic Director and Chief Conductor

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) is one of Asia's leading orchestras. Enriching Hong Kong's cultural life for over a century, the Orchestra has grown into a formidable ensemble of Chinese and international talents, attracting world-class artists to collaborate on its stage. HKPO annually touches the lives of over 200,000 music lovers through more than 150 performances including its extensive education programme HSBC Insurance Creative Notes and free concerts such as the popular Swire Symphony under the Stars, and regular broadcasts and telecasts. Outside of Hong Kong, the HKPO has made a number of critically acclaimed tours in Asia and Europe.

The 2011/12 season will mark Maestro Edo de Waart's eighth and final season with the HKPO. Apart from his own series of five special programmes which are summaries of his achievements with the Orchestra over the last seven years, ending with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the new season will also attract a stellar cast of great artists and guest conductors.

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 the Venue Partner of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre

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