The opening programme of the 2025-26 season of Bamboo Rhythm Ensemble, 'Future Traditions – Music and Images of Hong Kong, Sounds and Paintings of Lingnan', features nine original Chinese orchestral works with strong local colours composed by the ensemble's composer-in-residence, Matthew Wong. Under the baton of Music Director and Principal Conductor Patrick Ho, with Assistant Conductor and Theatre Director Kin Siu-tsz, and special guest Wu Weiqian, Principal Suona Player of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, performing a throat pipe solo, along with historical recordings of blind singer Du Huan (1910-1979) performing Nanyin (Southern music) and live music dialogue, combined with sound designer Longmon Luk's environmental sound processing, and complemented by lighting designer Wing-shan Ng's lighting and image projections, this concert promises to be an immersive musical journey.
Starting with the question, 'How can we listen to Hong Kong in a new way?', the concert invites the audience to experience the possibilities of Chinese music from a fresh perspective and rediscover the historical origins, cultural heritage, and landscapes of the city. The performance presents three ways of listening: from prehistoric echoes to Lingnan melodies, and from urban emotions to folk beliefs. Each piece is like a sonic painting, depicting the cultural fabric and spiritual landscape of Hong Kong, showcasing the unique value of Hong Kong as a window into Lingnan culture. The audience is not just a listener, but a wanderer in the soundscape, moving between music and sound, perception, and reflection.
The 'Future Traditions' project of the Bamboo Rhythm Ensemble explores the creative space for contemporary Chinese chamber music and raises awareness of the passing on of the 'Hong Kong Chinese Music Culture' tradition. Music development is interconnected with each era, and each era has its unique style, not only echoing the changes of the times but also creating traditions for future generations. The project aims to explore how to construct the 'Future Traditions' based on the concept of 'rooted in tradition' through the collected and commissioned Chinese chamber music works.
Composer: Matthew Wong
Conductor: Patrick Ho
Nanyin (Historical Recording): Du Huan
Throat Pipe: Wu Weiqian*
Xun: Siu-chang Ho, Kwok-lung Chu
Daruan: Sandra Chan
Percussion: Long-hin Cheung, Yuet-man Chak
Nanyin/Yangqin: Ka-ying Kwok
Nanyin/Yehu: Kin-ping Yeung
Theatre Director: Kin Siu-tsz
Sound Design: Longmon Luk
Lighting Design: Wing-shan Ng
Ensemble: Bamboo Rhythm Ensemble
Programme
Double Xun and Daruan: 'Prehistoric Hong Kong' (2013)
Ensemble: 'A Musical Tour of the Greater Bay Area' (2023/2025)^+
String Ensemble: 'Echoes of太平山' – 'Song of Hope' (2024)^
Double Percussion and Ensemble: 'The Tiger-like Spirit of Wong Fei-hung' (2022)
Dialogue between Historical Recording and Live Performance: 'Sorrow of the Journey' (2015)^
Chinese and Western Ensemble: 'Temple Street Tango' (2023/2024)^
Throat Pipe and Ensemble: 'Jiao' (2018)^
Ensemble: 'Echoes of太平山' – 'Strolling on太平山' (2024)^
Ensemble: 'Victoria Harbour Nocturne' (2000)
^Commissioned Work
+Premiere of New Version
*In case of any special circumstances, the organiser reserves the right to change the programme and performers.
*The programme lasts for approximately 75 minutes without intermission.
*With kind permission of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
Tickets are now available at URBTIX. Special discounts are offered for bookings through art-mate: 20% off for full-price tickets; 50% off for students, seniors, disabled and CSSA recipients.
