Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) will tour to South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Australia in 2017 to mark 20 years since the autonomous territory separated from the UK. The programme will include works by Hong Kong composers, as well as pieces by Western favourites Mahler, Mozart and Brahms.
Jaap van Zweden, music director at HK Phil, will lead the orchestra, with violinist Ning Feng joining as soloist. Dates include Seoul (16 April), Osaka (18 April), Singapore (1 May), Melbourne (4 May), and Sydney (5 May).
‘Mahler’s music is full of emotion and his Symphony No 1 is ideal for touring being relatively short and extremely accessible,’ commented van Zweden. ‘You can’t beat the majesty of Brahms’ Symhpony No 1 with its glorious final movement. Ning Feng is a great violinist and in his hands the Mozart Violin Concerto No 4 will sparkle.’
It is the first time the orchestra has toured to Australia, with HK Phil chief executive Michael MacLeod describing it as ‘a great opportunity to showcase the brilliance of our orchestra to an entirely new audience.’ He added that: ‘This tour highlights the orchestra’s importance as ambassadors for Hong Kong’s cultural heritage and showcases our flagship arts organisation internationally.’
Hong Kong audiences will be able to hear the tour programme performed in a concert at Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on 14 April.
