Skip the Rush Hour and Treat Yourself to Beautiful Chamber & Orchestral Music Performed by HK Phil in “After Hour Classics” 19-22 February at ArtisTree
Free Concerts Feature HK Phil Musicians, Ballet Dancers and Soprano

Download HERE
 

[7 February 2013 – Hong Kong]At the end of the working day, music is the perfect antidote to the frustration of rush hour. Come and join the Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) at ArtisTree for a series of concerts of chamber and orchestral music – After Hour Classics, co-presented by Swire Properties, on 19 – 22 February 2013 (Tue – Fri). Each of the concerts on the four successive evenings starts at 7pm and lasts about one hour without intermission. Admission is free and concert-goers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches and drinks.

Each of the four concerts has a different theme and feature extraordinary musicians and dancers. They offer an ideal opportunity for the community to enjoy and explore the wonderful arts scene in the vibrant neighbourhood of Island East. First up, the HK Phil’s very own brilliant concertmaster Igor Yuzefovich leads string players and joined by Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon in “String Quartet” (19 Feb). This is followed by “Wind Quintet” (20 Feb) led by Principal Flute Megan Sterling, while conductorBarnaby Palmerjoins the HK Phil for “A Night at the Ballet” (21 Feb) and “A Night at the Opera” (22 Feb) featuring Principal Dancers from the Hong Kong Ballet, Jin YaoandZhang Yao, and young soprano Alison Lau from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts respectively.

Preview! Showtime @ 9PM – The Brand New Swire Denim Series
Sit back and enjoy your weekend by joining the HK Phil’s brand new Swire Denim Series. Perfect for busy urbanites, the concerts start at 9pm and bring you slightly over one hour of great music (without interval). Audience can join the activities on and off stage and mingle with those who simply love the classics! Stay tuned for the latest Swire Denim concerts and activities at our website or Facebok page.

String Quartet (19 Feb, TUE)
Artists
Igor Yuzefovich, violin [full biography]
Anders Hui, violin
Andrew Ling, viola [full biography]
Richard Bamping, cello [full biography]
Andrew Simon, clarinet [full biography]
Programme
Beethoven’s sunniest string quartet begins this short programme, in which members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic will shine in the intimacy of chamber music. The quartet will be joined by Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon, for Brahms’ lovely quintet – a musical vision of an autumn sunset.

Wind Quintet (20 Feb, WED)
Artists
Megan Sterling, flute [full biography]
Michael Wilson, oboe [full biography]
John Schertle, clarinet [full biography]
Benjamin Moermond, bassoon [full biography]
Russell Bonifede, horn
Programme
Wind players of the Hong Kong Philharmonic join together in a celebration of the rich colours of the woodwind section. Featuring masterworks by Mozart and Ravel, arranged for wind quintet, as well as Nielsen’s charming showcase for its individual instruments.

A Night at the Ballet (21 Feb, THU)
Artists
Barnaby Palmer, conductor [full biography]
Yao, Jin, ballet dancer [full biography]
Yao, Zhang, ballet dancer [full biography]
Programme
Elegance, grace, glamour – through the ages, ballet has inspired composers to write some of their most sumptuous music. Join the Hong Kong Philharmonic for a concert of ballet’s greatest moments. Featuring a guest appearance by Principal Dancers from The Hong Kong Ballet, this concert will have you dancing your way home.

A Night at the Opera (22 Feb, FRI)
Artists
Barnaby Palmer, conductor [full biography]
Alison Lau, soprano [full biography]
Programme
All the spectacle and drama of an evening at the opera, recreated for you at ArtisTree with the full orchestra before you. This programme includes opera’s best-loved selections for orchestra, and a special appearance by dazzling young soprano Alison Lau.

The Venue – ArtisTree
Island East has been a long-time patron of art and culture and a diversified range of visual and performing art events are held year-round in the past decade. To raise the bar and be able to bring world-class art events to Hong Kong, a 20,000 sq ft multi-purpose venue ArtisTree located at Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place was launched in November 2008.  The inaugural event was the Vivienne Westwood A Life in Fashion exhibition, a collaboration with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

ArtisTree is a pun for the original word “Artistry” which means “artistic workmanship, effect or quality, artistic ability”. Like a tree, this new venue symbolises a nurturing ground where art grows. It is intended to be a cultural resource for Hong Kong. From where, through the presentation of outstanding events from the visual and performing arts world, inspire the learning, appreciation, creation and growth of art in the wider Hong Kong community.

After Hour Classics: String Quartet
19 | 2 | 2013
TUE 7PM
ArtisTree, 1/F Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place, Island East
Free Admission
For ages 6 and above
Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches and drinks

 

Click the thumbnail to download photos

After Hour Classics: Wind Quintet
20 | 2 | 2013
WED 7PM
ArtisTree, 1/F Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place, Island East
Free Admission
For ages 6 and above
Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches and drinks
 

Click the thumbnail to download photos

After Hour Classics: A Night at the Ballet
21 | 2 | 2013
THU 7PM
ArtisTree, 1/F Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place, Island East
Free Admission
For ages 6 and above
Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches and drinks

 

Click the thumbnail to download photos

# Zhang Yao and Jin Yao, Principal Dancers, appear courtesy of The Hong Kong Ballet

After Hour Classics: A Night at the Opera
22 | 2 | 2013
FRI 7PM
ArtisTree, 1/F Cornwall House, TaiKoo Place, Island East
Free Admission
For ages 6 and above
Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own sandwiches and drinks

 

Click the thumbnail to download photos

# Courtesy of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

For programme enquiry, please call HK Phil at
(852) 2721 2030
Or go on our website:
www.hkphil.org

HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC
Music Director: Jaap van Zweden

The Hong Kong Philharmonic is a vital part of Hong Kong’s cultural life, as the city’s largest and busiest musical organisation. In 2013/14 the HK Phil will celebrate its 40th professional season, but its roots are well over a century old. The HK Phil has now evolved to become 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 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

# # #