|
 |
Director's Notes Dear Friends, I am writing this message from our new office on the 22nd floor of the Arts Service Centre, 181 Queen's Road Central, thanks to the continued support of the Arts Development Council One-Year Grant. It is good that, as our organization branches out, we can be part of a cultural hub. Long may it continue! I am also delighted to welcome three fabulous new team members: Margaret Yeung and Shirin Chu who join us in Marketing and Development, and Belinda Howard, our concert assistant. Last season I was especially rewarded by comments from a young audience member who wrote, "Anyone who has attended performances by the CCOHK will never again say that classical music concerts are boring or bland!" This year we have the expected (Mozart masterpieces) - and the unexpected (crossover curiosities) for you. In fact EVERY concert in this season is going to be a unique experience! In October we kick off with some Classical Bliss. Julian Bliss is the fifteen-year-old boy wonder who has more than just a great name. He is simply astonishing. It is rare for a wind player to take the international stage by storm at such a young age. Julian has packed in a lot in a short time: professional engagements with orchestras such as the BBC Philharmonic and debuts at prestigious festivals such as Verbier and the BBC Proms. What's more, he has already made a CD release on EMI Classics and gained his Post-Graduate Artists Diploma from Indiana University (USA) at the age of twelve! Be sure not to miss Julian's Hong Kong debut on the basset clarinet in Mozart's ever-popular clarinet concerto. After Classical Bliss we shall be Bach for More! Benedict Cruft shares his passion for Bach in a performance as guest concertmaster and soloist in Bach's ebullient E-major concerto to be held at St. John's Cathedral in November. This programme also features the pure voice of local soprano Elizabeth Coupe in one of Bach's Wedding Cantatas with oboe obbligato and the golden sound of the CCOHK's principal flautist Matthew Wu in the famous Badinerie from Suite No. 2. On Christmas Eve, we perform Messiah in the Park with Hong Kong's spectacular skyline forming the backdrop. This is a free event presented by RTHK Radio 4. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear Handel's resplendent Hallelujah Chorus resound open air in Hong Kong Park - and on TV and radio. In January 2006 we team up with Scotland's finest traditional ensemble for a bit of Scotland the Brave! Eddie McGuire and the Whistlebinkies - his seven-piece ensemble of flutes, pipes, Celtic harps, drums and fiddles - will keep you on the edge of your seat, if not dancing in the aisles. With local Scottish conductor David Gwilt on the podium and the stirring sounds of both highland and bellows-blown pipes in the making, you can expect a great night out for the whole family! In March 2006 we share the platform with the charismatic baritone Sir Thomas Allen. A star of all the great opera houses of the world, Sir Thomas Allen is equally renowned on the concert platform, appearing with conductors such as Solti, Levine and Rattle. He makes his FIRST appearance in Hong Kong with the CCOHK singing Dvorak's Biblical Songs and a selection of Mozart and Rossini opera arias for which he has become famous the world over. In June 2006 we round off our season with "Cinema amore mio" - a fabulous evening of Italian film music presented as part of Italy 2006: Quality & Lifestyle. This attractive programme showcases two young Italian artists - Luca Ciarla (violin) and Marco Salcito (guitar) - and the music of some of the greatest Italian film composers such as Morricone (The Mission), Rota (The Godfather) and Carpi (Pinocchio) in new and original arrangements for small orchestra. Sounds interesting? Then turn off your computer and head on down to the concert hall. Despite the increasing distractions of this cyber-age, nothing beats the experience of hearing musicians perform LIVE music. On that note I look forward to seeing you from across the music stand ..... Leanne Nicholls Founder & Artistic Director City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong Limited *************************************************************** Mark the CCOHK's Exciting Events in Your Diary! CLASSICAL BLISS with Julian Bliss BACH FOR MORE with Benedict Cruft, Elizabeth Coupe and Matthew Wu MESSIAH IN THE PARK with Harmen Cnossen SCOTLAND THE BRAVE with the Whistlebinkies SIR THOMAS ALLEN & CCOHK CINEMA AMORE MIO - a night of Italian film music |