After an 18-year hiatus, the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra (CBCO), a national-level orchestra renowned both at home and abroad, will return to Hong Kong in October and perform two concerts in the Great Music 2023 presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The concerts will be held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on October 24 (Tuesday) and the Tsuen Wan Town Hall on October 25 (Wednesday) respectively. The diverse repertoire for each concert will also represent a spectacular showcase of the charm of Chinese orchestral music.
Under the baton of its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Pang Kapang, the first concert will feature a number of renowned soloists from the CBCO, including Honorary Concertmaster Jiang Kemei (banhu), former Principal Pipa Chen Yin, Principal Percussion Ma Li (paigu), Principal Zhonghu Yang Liu (erhu) and Principal Suona Zhou Yixiang. They will perform original, well-known compositions and adaptations by the late legendary conductor and composer Peng Xiuwen, such as "The Drums and Gongs of Harvest", "The Moon Rises High", "Celebrating a Bumper Harvest", "Reflection of the Moon on the Water", "Moonlight over the Spring River" and "Pretty Maidens".
In the second concert, Guest Conductor Chen Xieyang, along with virtuosi Jiang Kemei (jinghu), Tang Junqiao (dizi) and Yu Hongmei (erhu), will join hands and present works by contemporary composers from the Mainland, such as "Festival Overture", "In the Deep of the Night", "The Song of Flight" and "Red Plum Capriccio". The CBCO will also perform famous pieces with lyrics by the eminent lyricist Chen Dieyi, including "The Evening Bells of Nanping", "Lover's Tears", "There is a Love of Mine" and "The Spring Breeze Kisses My Cheek".
Established in 1949, the CBCO is one of five affiliates of the China Broadcasting Performing Arts Troupe. It pioneered the configuration of a Chinese orchestra, viz. four sections of bowed strings, plucked strings, woodwinds and percussion. This format is now widely adopted by other Chinese orchestras on the Mainland and other parts of the world. The CBCO has also nurtured numerous acclaimed conductors, composers and musicians. It has toured more than 70 countries and regions, actively engaging in cultural exchanges and building friendships.
The first concert by the China Broadcasting Chinese Orchestra will be held at 8pm on October 24 at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets are priced at $200, $280, $360 and $440. The second concert will be held at 8pm on October 25 at the Auditorium of the Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets are priced at $200, $260, $320 and $380. They are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1559.html.
A pre-concert talk entitled "The Audible Peng Xiuwen" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on October 24 at Level 4 Foyer, Auditoria Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The speaker will be Dr Jim Chang. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The LCSD presents the Great Music 2023 from September to November. Various internationally acclaimed musicians and ensembles will come to Hong Kong to perform an array of exciting and diversified music programmes. For more details, please visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/groups_1576.html.
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