Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui | China's top conductor Zhang Guoyong joins hands with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra again after 14 years to lead the performance of Chinese and Western masterpieces and create a grand event in the music world

Description

After a 14-year absence, Zhang Guoyong, one of China’s top symphony conductors, will once again collaborate with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra to present a musical festival that connects the past and present, and blends the East and the West, at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall on May 23 and 24 (Friday and Saturday). At the concert, Zhang Guoyong will join hands with internationally renowned young violinist Lao Li to perform Zhao Jiping's "First Violin Concerto", as well as "Celebrating the Festival" commissioned by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and Wang Danhong's "Four Seasons in the Garden", three masterpieces that combine traditional heritage with contemporary expression.

Zhang Guoyong collaborated with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra when he first conducted Chinese music in 2005. He said: "The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra has always been a top-notch national orchestra in my mind with both technical and artistic qualities. It is of great significance to be able to use their commissioned work "Celebrating the Festival" as the opening song this time." This work was tailor-made for the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra by composer Wang Ning. It draws inspiration from folk festival music from the southeast, northwest and northeast of China, blends with the rich colors of national orchestral music, and showcases the diverse regional culture and festive enthusiasm. Zhang Guoyong added: "This piece has a strong northern flavor and is composed with exquisite techniques. It is a relatively difficult piece in traditional Chinese orchestral music."

Then Zhang Guoyong and violinist Lao Li will perform Zhao Jiping's "First Violin Concerto". This piece of music was originally composed for a Western orchestra, and was later adapted into a national orchestral version. The pure Western timbre of the violin and the national sound of Chinese music interweave and echo, bringing a refreshing artistic experience. The melody is gentle and smooth, rich in national flavor, showing the audience a deep dialogue between Chinese and Western cultures.

The finale performance, Four Seasons in the Liuyuan Garden, is inspired by the four seasons of the classical Suzhou garden, Liuyuan Garden. The four movements were composed by Wang Danhong, a popular contemporary composer. Through stringed instruments, the music delicately depicts the poetic atmosphere of spring, summer, autumn and winter. The movement between movements is like the changing scenery in the garden, with scenes blending together, which is very inspiring. The work also embodies the emotional changes of the four seasons of life, presenting the artistic realm of "emotions evoked by viewing the scenery".