PRESS REVIEWS "In the last few seasons the CCOHK has brought many eye-opening joys to music-lovers. The orchestra is bold in exploration and audacious in development. On the one hand, it actively promotes rare instrumental works as well as pieces which are relatively small in scale but high in artistic value. On the other hand, it strives to find performing venues other than proper concert halls. Over the years the orchestra has gradually established a unique brand in the music circle and continuously won recognition from music-lovers." Ta Kung Po (December 2011) "Compared to the programmes offered by other orchestras, this one presented by the CCOHK was no slouch. Concerts featuring the harp are rare in Hong Kong. This time thanks to the planning by Leanne Nicholls (the founder of the CCOHK), music-lovers in Hong Kong were given a new experience. In Dancing Reflection the woodwind and bass sections were very prominent in the first two sections. The accompaniment provided by the strings was also wonderful. … The orchestra blended well with the pipa … The orchestra’s interpretation also brought out the emotions and ideas in the piece.The orchestra’s performance was good. In particular the string section had ample opportunity to display their skills. The conductor also mastered the various genres well." Jane Tang, Mr. Magazine (November, 2011) "The orchestra’s standard was high, as always. Their performance was outstanding, and their rapport with the singers was even better than that last year. The CCOHK in collaboration with City Opera – a fantastic match indeed!" Hong Kong Economic Journal (July 2011) "The City Chamber Orchestra’s delightful airing of Poulenc’s Sinfonietta." South China Morning Post (December 2010) "Konstantinov, the Russian-born principal cellist of the CCOHK and soloist in the world premiere of Thérèse Brenet’s Concerto for Cello and Small Orchestra, brought such lyrical profundity and emotional depth to the middle section that it smoothed over the aridity of the first movement and continued to resonate through the more aggressive harmonies of the third." Financial Times (October 2010) "The audience was absolutely ecstatic." Time Out (Hong Kong) (June 2010) "Rarely have I heard so many whistles, whoops and cheers at an evening of symphonic music." The Financial Times (June 2010) "..the CCOHK’s playing was moving and poignant." Audiotechnique (June 2010) "Leanne Nicholls’ fine oboe solo contributions." South China Morning Post (2010) "The CCOHK has developed into a versatile chamber ensemble whose repertoire covers all fields. The CCOHK members applied themselves with diligence and concentration – something that cannot be said about their counter parts at the Hong Kong Philharmonic. I was particularly impressed by Leanne Nicholl’s solo playing in Astor Piazzolla’s famous piece, Oblivion. A believe "small is beautiful", especially in the case of a 20-member chamber group who have been working very hard to achieve excellence." Leo Ou-fan, The Map (March 2010) "The performers responded with playing that was beautifully atmospheric. Piazzolla’s Tangazo is a gripping tango-inspired work. This performance gave it full voice, colours and moods were well matched and featured some wonderful horn playing by Joe Kirtley and Jon Chromik." South China Morning Post (October 2009) "Michala Petri the much-lauded Danish recorder player, showed an enthralled packed City Hall what a diverse and spectacular solo instrument the recorder can be, as she took centre stage in a wonderful, florid, and joyous celebration of City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong’s first decade. Petri’s lines drifted along, both bird- and dream-like, always supremely in control of the breathless, continuous semiquaver and canyon-esque leaps. The highlight of the evening came after the interval however, with the world premiere of Richard Harvey’s Concerto Incantato, a work written specifically for this concert and for Michala Petri and five of her recorders, ranging from the deeper, rounder tenor, to the twinkling sopranino. The lengthy, five movement work, draws heavily on his background in cinematic music, particularly fantasy and sci-fi soundtracks, oozing walls of warm string harmony and a distinct story-telling quality – a highly consumable work commandingly performed. Overall, the concert was a fine tribute to the CCOHK’s first decade – a testament to what they have built over their first years, and a more than promising start to the next." Time Out (Hong Kong) (October 2009) "The CCOHK gave their 10th anniversary season opening concert on 11 October 2009. I was both amazed and delighted by the concert and was also moved by the performance. The chief conductor, Jean Thorel, is a passionate musician from France. In his performance he strived for perfection without exaggerating. He was instrumental in leading the orchestra to give a fine, delicate and uplifting performance. In terms of technique and musicality, the CCOHK is of international standard. The climax of the concert was in the second half of the concert, which included the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Richard Harvey, Concerto Incantato for Recorder and Astor Piazzolla's Tangazo. Harvey’s work had very much a movie feel to it. The Hong Kong audience does not always have the chance to enjoy music like Concerto Incantato for Recorder, more especially its world premiere. The audience enthusiastically applauded the phenomenal performance given by Danish recorder player, Michala Petri. The concert ended in a joyful and happy mood." Express Weekly (Clarence Hui, Hong Kong) (October 2009) "It is to Leanne Nicholls’ credit that the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, of which she is the founder and the artistic director and principal oboist, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary at a concert next Sunday. The event bears all the hallmarks of her initial vision: to have about 30 accomplished players deliver imaginative programmes to persuade audiences that there’s life beyond the standard classics." South China Morning Post (October 2009) "A slick and highly enjoyable presentation." South China Morning Post (July 2009) "Since the appointment of French conductor Jean Thorel as its chief conductor in September last year, the CCOHK’s performances have been refreshing and have scaled new heights. Led by Thorel, the orchestra performed well in the "Queen of Harps" concert in September last year, the "Celestial Voice" concert in January this year and the "Li Ang Plays Chopin" concert in February, winning acclaim from audience members and music critics alike." Tai Kung Pao (March 2009) "One of the more interesting developments on the orchestral scene this year was the appointment of Jean Thorel as chief conductor of the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, the first time the ensemble has taken on such a commitment. Early signs were encouraging with Thorel getting the best from both the music and the players." South China Morning Post (December 2008) "The market for classical music in Hong Kong has never been big, not to mention the small portion occupied by elegant, exquisite chamber music. The CCOHK has managed to survive for nearly ten years by filling this niche in Hong Kong. This is no small feat: it calls for a combination of passion, dedication, perseverance and quest for excellence towards the art of music." Jonathan Ho, critic (April 2008) "The orchestra produced some ravishing sounds." South China Morning Post, (January 2008) "Another concert worth attending was the one entitled "Spirit of Two Strings" presented by the CCOHK on 30 November at the Sha Tin Town Hall. "Two Strings" referred to the erhu player Hsin Hsiao-hung and violinist Ho Hong-ying. The former is a principal of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the latter that of the CCOHK. These two superb musicians were the soloists featured in the double concerto. They complemented each other perfectly. Hsin’s technique was stunning, her playing effortless. She could even produce double notes and overtones. Erhu has only two strings but Ms Hsin played them using various fingerings and managed to bring off nearly all the "tricks" that are possible on the four strings of a violin. At the end of the concert CCOHK’s principal cellist Artem Konstantinov played an encore for solo cello. This young cellist played naturally and with ease, and his performance was comparable to that of Yo-yo Ma." Ming Pao (December 2007) "Mao Yuan's score uses the limited resources imaginatively and the orchestra handled changes in texture and lead lines with tightness and clarity. Tan's score drew the best from everyone. Orchestral colour and a charged atmosphere supported Hsin's highly eloquent playing - her cadenza and the duet with Mo Chun-pang on hand drum were splendid." South China Morning Post, (January 2008) "The orchestra played their heart out too, and all jammed with contrapuntal brilliance, fine tone-blending and rhythmic excitement. Even when without the star soloists, as in the opener Tangazo, the rollicking strings and finely phrased wind solos contributed to the concert’s immense enjoyment value." South China Morning Post, (January 2007) "The CCOHK played to a packed house at the afternoon performance of this children’s Christmas concert (The Snowman & The Bear), during which many adults were quite clearly enjoying a second childhood. The orchestra’s excellent playing was directed by Richard Honner." South China Morning Post, (December 2006) "The CCOHK’s performance was not only professional and focused but delivered from the heart. The orchestra’s technique, tone and ensembleship was first-rate. A most enjoyable and admirable performance! The energy and leadership of Leanne Nicholls deserves special commendation." Chan Kwan-yun, Rupert, Hong Kong Economic Journal (November 2006) "Although the pieces in this concert were mostly lightweight ones, they were extremely enjoyable. The principal cellist Artem Konstantinov had a short solo passage to play, and his performance was excellent. At the end of the concert the principal oboist Leanne Nicholls gave a very moving performance of "Gabriel’s Oboe" from the film "The Mission"." Tina Fu, RTHK Radio 4 Review, Cultural Vibes (June 2006) "The tone colour, balance and unanimity were of the highest standard." Hong Kong Economic Journal (March 2006) "There was one fabulous concert that was not a part of the Arts Festival - that being the fabulous performance given by the British baritone Sir Thomas Allen and the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong." Ming Pao (March 2006) "The performance was excellent. The concert featured many fascinating works, in particular "Cantus Arcticus" by the renowned contemporary Finnish composer Rautavaara. In fact the performance given that night was the Hong Kong premiere of the work – a most memorable occasion." Pi Magazine (December 2004) "The concert included Respighi’s The Birds which benefited from limpid playing from the woodwind and horn principals as well as zestful violins." South China Morning Post (November 2004) "The soloists and the orchestra launched into the final movement and played it magnificently from beginning to end. The short passages played by the French horn and oboe were also superb." Tina Fu, International Association of Theatre Critics (October 2004) "The small and professional-level City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong is known for its quirky classical concerts, with as much emphasis placed on the staging as on the music." South China Morning Post (December 2003) "The CCOHK's performance was vivid and lively. The orchestra used various instruments to produce special sound effects, taking the audience into the world of fairy tales." Chan Wai-yee, International Association of Theatre Critics (December 2003) "It was evident that the players enjoyed the music-making. The programme notes written by Leanne Nicholls, the Artistic Director of the CCOHK brimmed with interest and were more meaningful than some of the monotonous articles one encounters in other house programmes." Vincent Mak, Tai Kung Pao (September 2003) "The performance of the CCOHK was quite splendid." Tai Kung Pao (February 2003) "The CCOHK is an invaluable orchestra. It performs relatively "alternative" repertoire in classical music e.g. lesser known works by famous composers, or pieces written for rare instruments in classical music (e.g. recorder). The market for classical concerts in Hong Kong is not big and many music lovers only listen to famous mainstream works. This makes CCOHK’s choice of such an adventurous path all the more admirable." Vincent Mak, AudioLand (June 2002) "The CCOHK’s members are professionally trained musicians who maintain very high standards in every performance. In particular, Suk’s "Serenade for Strings" was a marvelous combination of playfulness, elegance, meditation and passion." Chow Fan-fu, Wen Wei Po (November 2001) "The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong is known for its innovative, off-beat approach to classical music programming." IMAIL (March 2001) "I was delighted by the extremely high professional standard of the CCOHK under the baton of Kian Pin Hiu. Grieg’s Holberg Suite, which opened the concert, displayed the superb expressiveness of the strings, whilst the concluding piece, Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 1 featured the dazzling colour of the winds. Music lovers who missed this concert not only missed Ms. Petri’s wonderful recorder playing, but also the chance to hear a chamber orchestra of a very high standard." Chow Fan-fu, Wen Wei Po (December 2000) "The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong’s tango concert lashes out from the idea that classical music is boring." Hong Kong Magazine (June 2000) "The encore epitomized the spirit of the orchestra: a willingness to experiment, to explore and, above all, to have fun in the process." South China Morning Post (December 1999) "This orchestra’s establishment is most welcome." Hong Kong Standard (September 1999)