Visionary Sounds: Jaap Van Zweden's Prokofiev Symphony no. 5 and Zimmermann's Sibelius Violin Concerto (12 & 13 Dec)

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[21 November 2014, Hong Kong] Jaap van Zweden, Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) returns to the stage of the HK Phil with one of the world’s great violinists, Frank Peter Zimmermann, in Sibelius’ Violin Concerto on 12 and 13 December 2014 in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

“With his gorgeously ripe tone, easy swagger and intoxicating range of colour, Zimmermann is every inch the master.”
--- Gramophone on Zimmermann’s recording of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto

Jean Sibelius dreamt of being a star violinist, but a combination of injuries and simply starting on the instrument too late ruled out the possibility. But he used his knowledge of the instrument to compose his Violin Concerto, a work which is both dreamlike and fiendishly difficult, making supreme demands on the soloist. It is the most recorded 20th-century concerto, and Frank Peter Zimmermann is arguably its greatest living interpreter.

Alongside the Concerto’s idyllic soundscape, Jaap van Zweden will conduct the triumphant Fifth Symphony by Sergei Prokofiev. Intended to inspire the Soviet people as the Second World War drew to its close, the symphony’s first performance began as victory cannons were fired in Moscow. Prokofiev declared that in the Symphony he was attempting to “sing the praises of the free and happy man – his strength, his generosity and the purity of his soul”.

Classics: Visionary Sounds – Zimmermann/Van Zweden will be held on 12 & 13 December 2014 (Fri & Sat) at 8PM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.Tickets priced: $500, $380, $280, $180 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.

Frank Peter Zimmermann, violin [full biography]
Zimmermann performs with all major orchestras in the world, collaborating with the world’s most renowned conductors. He has built up an impressive discography and has recorded virtually all major concerto repertoires. His achievements have been recognised with an Order of Merit, First Class, of the Federal Republic of Germany. Frank Peter Zimmermann performs on the Lady Inchiquin Stradivarius, a violin which formerly belonged to the legendary Fritz Kreisler.


Classics: Visionary Sounds – Zimmermann/Van Zweden
12 & 13 | 12 | 2014
FRI & SAT 8PM
Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall
HK$500 $380 $280 $180
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	Frank Peter Zimmermann Photo Credit: Klaus Rudolph	The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Photo credit: Cheung Chi Wai / 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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