HK Phil and NCPA Bridges Two Cities Through A Musical Journey

Following the successful concert held in May at the 2018 NCPA May Festival in Beijing, China, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), with the tremendous support of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China in Beijing, bring the same amazing programme to Hong Kong on 27 June in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. This will help strengthen cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Mainland China, and also share the excitement with Hong Kong audience.

The concert features the collaboration of two string quartets - the HK Phil Musicians Quartet (Leung Kin-fung, first violin; Cheng Li, second violin; Andrew Ling, viola; and Fang Xiaomu, cello) and the NCPA Quartet (Li Zhe, first violin; Liu Xian, second violin; Zhuang Ran, viola; and Xiao Liang, cello). The string quartet, consisting of two violins, one viola and one cello, emerged as a recognised musical genre in the latter half of the 18th century, and quickly became the principal instrumental grouping for chamber music.

The HK Phil Musicians Quartet will open the concert with Norwegian composer Grieg's immensely lovable String Quartet no. 1. Composed in the 1870s, when Norway was enveloped by strong nationalist sentiments, Grieg introduced national dances and melodies into his String Quartet along with music evoking the dramatic and hauntingly beautiful scenery of the country.

The NCPA Quartet will then carry the audience on to 1960, showcasing a powerful work by Shostakovich, one of the "most brilliantly inventive Soviet composers" (Classic FM), and that is String Quartet no. 8. Filled with musical self-quotations and constant references to his own musical signature, this piece draws each and every person in the audience into the inner world of Shostakovich.

Claimed as the very first genuine work for eight individual string instruments which treats each one almost equally, Mendelssohn's String Octet merges two string quartets into a single entity. It is universally accepted as a work of great genius; all the more surprising, then, that Mendelssohn was just 16 when he wrote it. Mendelssohn once said, "I had a most wonderful time writing it!" This combined performance by the HK Phil Musicians Quartet and the NCPA Quartet will round off the night magnificently.

Tickets priced: HK$200 ($100 concessionary tickets) are now available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit www.hkphil.org.

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