“Resounding Chimes · Magnificent Works in a Prosperous Age” concert to celebrate 75th anniversary of founding of People’s Republic of China

     To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO) will jointly present the "Resounding Chimes．Magnificent Works in a Prosperous Age" concert on October 1 (Tuesday) at 3pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC) Concert Hall. The concert will feature an ancient traditional instrument, the bianzhong on signature Chinese music works. A free guided appreciation session will be offered before the concert.

     The bianzhong was an important percussion instrument in ancient China. Comprised of rows of bronze bells of various sizes and tone colours, the bianzhong produces rich and penetrating sounds, earning it the title "King of Chinese Instruments". Under the baton of Maestro Yan Huichang, a National Class One Conductor and the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for Life of the HKCO, the Principal Percussion of the HKCO, Luk Kin-bun, will play the bianzhong at the concert, performing "Three Variations on a Plum Blossom Melody" with the HKCO. The concert will also feature several classic pieces, including the wind and percussion folk music piece from Shanxi "The Grand Victory", the lively "Impressions of Hainan" which includes a rendition of the festivities of the Li ethnic group, and the moving dialogue "A Pure Heart". The concert will conclude with "Opus in Celebration of Prosperous Times" featuring a duet performance of the bianzhong and organ, the Western "King of Instruments", performed by Wong Ching-yin along with the HKCO, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China with a magnificent flourish.

     To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the concert tickets are priced at $75 and are now available on URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). The first 75 senior citizens at the age of 75 who successfully register at the website of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra will be offered two complimentary tickets to feel the charm of the sound of the traditional bianzhong. Members of the public can join a free pre-concert guided appreciation session which introduces the history of the bianzong with a live demonstration to be held at the HKCC Concert Hall at noon. They can also appreciate selected bells of the bianzhong at a close distance and take photos with this ancient instrument, which will be displayed at the Level 2 Foyer of the HKCC.

     Registration for the complimentary tickets and free pre-concert guided appreciation session will start from tomorrow (September 18) at 10am on a first-come, first-served basis. For details of the registration and the programme, please visit the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra website (www.hkco.org/en/Concerts/Resounding-Chimes-Magnificent-Works-In-A-Prosperous-Age.html).