The HK Phil Presents Jazz and Classical with Acclaimed Artists
in January and February 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: 
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing 
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org 

Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org

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[11 January 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is excited to announce its collaboration with exceptional conductors and soloists for two diverse programmes scheduled for late January and early February. Led by the versatile conductor Gerard Salonga and emerging talent Kahchun Wong, the performances will feature Ted Lo, Janice Vidal, Eugene Pao, and Julian Rachlin, who will grace the stage alongside the HK Phil. Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Swire Denim Series: Soulful Jazz Evening with Ted Lo (26 & 27 January 2024)

The internationally renowned Hong Kong jazz legend Ted Lo has dedicated himself to promoting the art of jazz together with the next generation of local musicians. He joins forces with phenomenal songstress Janice Vidal and pre-eminent guitarist Eugene Pao, all accentuated by the orchestral vigour of the HK Phil under the baton of Gerard Salonga. Expect beloved 1970s pop songs with jazzed-up arrangements, soulful songs, and Lo’s original compositions in response to our times, performed across two evenings. Lo has also arranged his ensemble pieces into full symphonic scores. The programme seamlessly fuses influences from jazz, pop, contemporary fusion, and a Beethoven Sonata.      

“Swire Denim Series: Soulful Jazz Evening with Ted Lo” will be held on 26 & 27 January 2024 (Fri & Sat) at 8PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$580, $460, $340, $220 and $50 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

Kahchun Wong & Julian Rachlin (2 February 2024)

Brahms’s one-and-only Violin Concerto has long been recognised as one of the pinnacle concertos for the instrument. This piece is valued above all for its ideal balance of musical substance, symphonic thinking and imaginative writing for the soloist. Acclaimed Lithuanian violinist Julian Rachlin will perform this masterpiece, celebrated for its understated virtuosity and Hungarian flavour. Rising Singaporean conductor Kahchun Wong, winner of the 2016 Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition, will make his HK Phil debut in this concert. Wong will lead the orchestra in Bartók’s popular Concerto for Orchestra. The composer revives aspects of the Baroque concerto grosso concept, where smaller groupings of instruments are juxtaposed with the texture of the larger ensemble, showcasing every section of a modern symphony orchestra throughout the five movements.

“Kahchun Wong & Julian Rachlin” will be held on 2 February 2024 (Fri) at 8PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$680, $540, $400, $260 and $50 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

To provide audiences with a deep dive into specific orchestral works, “Swire Music for Everyone Series: Bartók Concerto for Orchestra” will be held on 2 February 2024 (Fri) at 10AM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Admission is free, and tickets are available on a first come, first-served basis. Online registration will start at 10AM on 22 January 2024 (Mon) on POPTICKET’s website.

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Artists
Gerard Salonga, conductor [full description]
Gerard Salonga is currently Resident Conductor of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur, a position he has held since January 2019. Selected over 170 international applicants and appointed by Maestro Jaap van Zweden, he served as Assistant Conductor of the HK Phil for two seasons from 2016 to 2018. He also served as Music Director of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in Manila from 2012 to 2020. In January 2021, Salonga began his term as Music Director of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth.

Ted Lo, piano and arranger [full description]
In 1976, Hong Kong-born Jazz pianist Ted Lo was the first Chinese graduate of Berklee College of Music in the US. Beginning his career as a freelance jazz pianist during the 1970s, he made his recording debut on trombonist Raul de Souza’s 1974 album Colors. In 1977, Lo toured with rock legend Al Kooper. In 1979, he moved to New York City, where over the next decade he collaborated with the likes of Astrud Gilberto, Ron Carter, Earl Klugh, etc. Returning to Hong Kong in 1996, Ted has worked with an impressive list of Hong Kong pop icons. He has devoted much time to raising awareness about jazz in Hong Kong and Asia, and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

Janice Vidal, vocalist [full description]
Born in 1982, Janice Vidal is a Hong Kong singer of Filipino and Korean heritage. Discovered by Mark Lui while working as a backing vocalist for Leon Lai, she made her solo debut in 2004 under AMusic and swept the board with rookie awards at multiple ceremonies. Known for her virtuosity, she quickly became one of Hong Kong’s most rapidly rising female singers. She is also one of the few Hong Kong female singers who successfully broke into the Southeast Asian market, particularly popular in Malaysia where she even has a dedicated fan club. Her albums consistently top the charts across Southeast Asia.

Eugene Pao, guitar [full description]
Eugene Pao is Hong Kong’s most publicly recognised jazz musician and his name is synonymous with jazz in our city. Such reputation cannot be more deserving as Pao has been at the vanguard of promoting jazz in the territory through his performances and recordings over the last thirty years or so. In the mid 1980s, Pao returned from studies in the US and began playing in Hong Kong. Recognition came early from leading international jazz musicians. Some of his early recordings featured such legends as bassist Eddie Gomez, blues great Jimmy Witherspoon and saxophonist Michael Brecker.

Kahchun Wong, conductor [full description]
Internationally acclaimed for his electrifying stage presence and his thoughtful exploration of Eastern and Western artistic legacies, Singapore-born Kahchun Wong is Chief Conductor of Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of Dresdner Philharmonie. He will succeed Sir Mark Elder as the newly appointed Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Hallé from the 2024/25 Season. In his final appearance as Chief Conductor of Nürnberger Symphoniker in 2022, Wong led the successful world premiere of his orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition to an audience of 75,000 at the annual Klassik Open Air in Luitpoldhain. Since winning the Mahler Competition in 2016, Wong has guest conducted many distinguished orchestras.

Julian Rachlin, violin [full description]
Julian Rachlin is Music Director of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor of the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. With a career spanning more than thirty years, Rachlin has taken his multifaceted interests across the globe as conductor, soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and artistic director. His critically acclaimed recordings have been released by Deutsche Grammophon, Sony Classical and Warner Classics. 

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SWIRE DENIM SERIES: SOULFUL JAZZ EVENING WITH TED LO
26 & 27 | 1 | 2024
FRI & SAT 8PM
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$580, $460, $340, $220, $50
Tickets now available at URBTIX
For ages 6 and above

Artists

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KAHCHUN WONG & JULIAN RACHLIN
2 | 2 | 2024
FRI 8PM
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$680, $540, $400, $260 and $50
Tickets now available at URBTIX
For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme