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Spotlight Interview with Mr. Simon Hui, principal double-bass player of the CCOHK. Where are you from and how long have you been in Hong Kong?I am from Hong Kong and have lived here all my life. What do you enjoy most about playing in the CCOHK? The interesting programming (hats off to Leanne Nicholls!) and the enthusiasm and dedication of my fellow players. Which CCOHK guest artist has made the biggest impression on you? The recorder virtuoso Michala Petri. Her performance reflected the beauty and charm of her personality. The concert that she gave with the CCOHK was one of the most unforgettable musical events in my memory. Which CCOHK concert has been the most memorable for you? I would like to mention three concerts. The first one was the concert with Michala Petri mentioned above. The second one was the "Spirit of Ireland" concert with Richard Harvey. I enjoyed playing in this concert because I love Irish folk music. That concert was also the only time in which I put on a cool green Giordano T-shirt to perform! The third one was the "Mandolin Magic" concert staged during the SARS epidemic in April 2003. Most of the orchestra members wore masks whilst performing on stage! In fact this concert was filmed and shown overseas as part of a documentary on the disease. The concert was memorable because it showed that, despite the threat of the deadly disease, we - the people of Hong Kong - still managed to keep things going in a normal manner. How did you come about choosing the double-bass? The first instrument I took up was in fact the classical guitar, which I started learning whilst still in secondary school. I became quite proficient at it quickly. My teacher recognized that and, when the double-bass player in the school graduated, I was chosen to fill the vacancy. The double-bass provided by the school was a bad one and hardly playable. This led me to hate the unwieldy "bull-fiddle" profoundly at first. However, I persevered and continued playing despite developing aching forelimbs. Gradually I started to discover the subtle beauty of the low sounds of the double-bass. I also began to love my role in providing the harmonic foundation and rhythmic thrust of an ensemble. In addition, I started to play jazz, which I have come to love as well. Name one of the most important milestones in your music career. Joining the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in 1987. For someone like me who never went through "formal" training in a music school, the appointment was an affirmation of my ability. What message do you have for our friends? Enjoy the music. Let it transport you to places beyond your wildest imagination. |