CCOHK ENEWSLETTER Issue No.42

One of the most distinguished keyboard players of his generation, Geoffrey Lancaster enjoys an international career as fortepianist, conductor, recording artist and teacher. He has performed to critical acclaim with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Rotterdam and Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestras, New Zealand and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras, and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra in Toronto. Geoffrey Lancaster was the first Australian to win a major international keyboard competition, receiving First Prize in the 23rd Flanders Festival International Mozart Fortepiano Competition in Bruges. He has appeared both as conductor and soloist with Australia’s major Symphony Orchestras, and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and is guest Director of the Tasmanian Symphony Chamber Players. Working at the forefront of the historically-informed performance practice movement, Geoffrey Lancaster is Artistic Director and fortepianist of Ensemble of the Classic Era, Chief Conductor of La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, and has undertaken residencies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, the Sweelinck Conservatorium Amsterdam, and the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg. Lancaster has held positions as Associate Professor at the Royal College of Music in London, and as visiting Professor of fortepiano at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, Switzerland. Geoffrey Lancaster is Professor and Head of Keyboard at the Australian National University, and works on a regular basis for the Australian National Academy of Music. He has received many awards including the Australian Artists Creative Fellowship from the Commonwealth of Australia for his outstanding artistic contribution to the nation. Geoffrey Lancaster’s website is: http//www.anu.edu.au.

Geoffrey Lancaster will perform in the CCOHK’s upcoming Haydn's Forte concert as part of the orchestra's 10th Anniversary season. He will also present the following leacrures and recitals at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts:

Lecture on “Haydn and the London Piano School”
02.12.09 (Wednesday), Recital Hall, 7:30pm

Haydn Sonatas for Pianoforte – Recital 1
01.12.09 (Tuesday), Recital Hall, 8:00pm

Haydn Sonatas for Pianoforte – Recital 2
04.12.09 (Friday), Recital Hall, 8:00pm

A children’s entertainer of international renown, Melvin Tix has performed over a thousand classical music concerts for children, schools and families with orchestras all over the world. His Hong Kong debut marks the 25th anniversary since his first public performance in Norway in 1984. Melvin Tix began his music career as a professional horn player with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. After leaving orchestral playing to take up clowning full-time, he has brought the colourful character of Melvin Tix to orchestras all around the world. His programmes include performances on a variety of musical instruments and presentations of favourite orchestral pieces in a Clown’s Guide to the Orchestra. He acts as master of ceremonies and conductor, introducing children to a live orchestra with funny musical stories (such as "The King with the Bad Stomach"), fairytales and circus tunes. His shows are humorous, educational and diverse with some surprises involving magic and balloons. The website for Melvin Tix is: http//:www.melvintix.no.

Clown Around with Melvin Tix is presented in English and suitable for families with children aged three and above. The duration of the performance is approximately one hour without intermission.