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 September 2009 - Issue No. 41 |
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Director's Notes |
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Dear Friends, TEN YEARS ago when I first conceived the idea of setting up a professional chamber orchestra in Hong Kong, the city was hardly a dream destination for the aspiring musician. It was, to coin a phrase, a cultural desert. There were very few performance opportunities for professional musicians and performances of small-scale works were cast aside in favour of the great romantics. Naturally, as a musician, I felt this cultural void and wanted to do something about it. Thus, in September 1999, the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong was founded and a successful debut concert paved the way for a new era of music-making in Hong Kong. Since then we have made our impact with numerous eye-opening programmes: baroque concerts in churches, candlelight concerts, collaborations with world-class soloists, cross-over performances with Chinese, Scottish and Irish instruments, special events for children with storytelling, film and dancing, chamber recitals, overseas tours and intriguing encounters with the rarely heard mandolin, glass harmonica and male soprano. The masked concert during the SARS crisis and the concert we gave in the historical town of L'Aquila (now devastated by a tragic earthquake), provide me with further unforgettable memories. It has been a journey of sheer hard work and I am very much rewarded to see the CCOHK reach its 10th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone we invite you to join us for a series of special concerts. Two of our favourite artists are making a special comeback: the legendary Danish recorder player Michala Petri and Daniel Binelli, an absolute master of the Argentinean bandoneon. We also look forward to new collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists such as Dame Emma Kirkby, Italian cellist/composer Giovanni Sollima and the young and gifted Singaporean violinist Loh Jun-hong. The music of Haydn will be especially highlighted in performances by eminent fortepianist Geoffrey Lancaster and in a series of early Haydn symphonies led by Jean Thorel. To contrast the classics, Pilar Alvarez and Claudio Hoffmann, Argentina’s foremost tango interpreters, will bring us the nostalgia of tango. And our very own CCOHK players will be highlighted in a series of baroque concerts to be held in more intimate venues around town. There will be new commissions to expand our musical horizons including the world premiere of Richard Harvey’s Concerto Incantato performed by Michala Petri and the world premiere of Therese Brenet’s Seul tes yeux demeurèrent performed by Ho Hong-ying, the CCOHK’s founding concertmaster (please read Hong-ying’s recent interview in the New York Times by clicking here). Last but not least, we can expect some fun at holiday time as Norwegian clownductor Melvin Tix brings us a magical music-making cum balloon-sculpturing extravaganza for all the kids. Numerous other private and educational concerts, masterclasses, recordings, collaborations, tours and hired engagements fill the dates in between these concerts. Please view our concert diary on our new website at www.ccohk.com for all the latest updates. The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong – now one of the most active chamber orchestras in the Asian region – owes much to the talent and dedication of its musicians, an active board, supportive sponsors and an appreciative audience. I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to you all for your continued support and I look forward to sharing this milestone with you with great music!  Leanne Nicholls Founder & Artistic Director City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong The CCOHK’s 2009/2010 Season brochure can be downloaded from the website at www.ccohk.com To hear more details about the CCOHK’s coming season you can listen to an interview Leanne gave with Jonathan Douglas on morning call between 8:45-9:15 am by clicking here |
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