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Spotlight Interview with Dr. David Chung, harpsichordist of the CCOHK. Where are you from and how long have you been in Hong Kong? I was born in Hong Kong and have been here ever since. However I did spend eight years in the United Kingdom for my postgraduate studies - first at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music, and then at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. After completing my studies I returned to Hong Kong. What do you enjoy most about playing in the CCOHK? Being a harpsichordist, I play almost exclusively in the CCOHK's baroque concerts. I enjoy playing with other instrumentalists immensely, and the CCOHK is small enough for every member to feel connected with each other as required by chamber works. I also enjoy the CCOHK's innovative programming and the opportunity it offers me to work with guest soloists and conductors. All in all, playing in the CCOHK is a very inspiring experience. Which CCOHK guest artist has made the biggest impression on you? Michala Petri, the recorder virtuoso. I was completely seduced by her exquisite tone colours, impeccable virtuosity and stage presence. She excelled at communicating with the audience as well as with fellow musicians. She knew exactly what she wanted and, when playing with her, one felt totally immersed in the music-making. Which CCOHK concert has been the most memorable for you? The "Glorious Baroque" concert given at Sha Tin Town Hall in 2001, when I played Bach's double concerto in C major with the Malaysian-born Kah-Ming Ng, who now lives in the United Kingdom. It was one of the most demanding concerts I have done as a soloist. That concert was also one of CCOHK's first attempts to play without a conductor. When there is no conductor, every member of the orchestra has to work harder. It is more challenging but it is also more fun and musically more satisfying. Why did you choose to play the harpsichord? I attended the first harpsichord recital in my life when I was still a high-school student. The recital was given at the Hong Kong City Hall and the soloist was the late British master George Malcolm. At that concert Malcolm made a tremendous impression on me. In fact that was the first time I heard the harpsichord so close - and so real. A few months later, I entered the Chinese University to study music as an undergraduate. To my delight, there was a harpsichord in the University, so I just picked it up as a second instrument. At first I mainly played works by Bach and Handel because these are the most common pieces for the harpsichord and piano. Gradually I discovered a whole new world of harpsichord music. In particular I became fascinated by the wonderful works penned by all the French, Italian and German composers before Bach. I eventually "migrated" completely to harpsichord-playing. Name one of the most important milestones in your music career. There have been many little milestones in my career, each one being like a cadenza. My latest "cadenza" is the release of my first solo harpsichord CD by URM Audio (web-site : www.urmaudio.com). The entire process of preparing and making the recording was so demanding and absorbing that I believe my own style of playing had been transformed by the time I finished the recording work. In a way it was a very humiliating experience, since everything I did became so transparent! That said, it made me listen to music from a different perspective and helped me to grow and become more mature in my music-making. What message do you have for our friends? I would like to share with them the following motto, "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." Come and share our music and our dreams! |