HK Phil News

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Limited today announces that Michael MacLeod, since April 2011, will retire at the end of March 2019 after eight years in the position.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) announces today that tickets for the additional performance of Joe Hisaishi in Concert on 5 May 2018 3pm will be sold through a pilot implementation of Ticket Ballot and Real-name Ticketing System. This unprecedented ticketing measure shows our determination to prevent unofficial reselling of tickets and aims to ensure that tickets will be made available only for those who genuinely would like to enjoy the concert. 80% of the tickets will be made available for public purchase via this ticketing procedure.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's "Composers Workshop - Beyond the Ring" Public Working Session and Showcase was held on 13 March 2018 at the Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong. In our commitment to nurturing composing talents in Hong Kong, the HK Phil has organised a series of workshops and a public showcase for six young local composers - Chan Chi-long, Kwok Man-ho, Meilina Tsui Mei-ling, Wong Ching-yin, So Ho-chi, and Wong Chun-wai. Their new works were premiered by the HK Phil under the baton of conductor Sebastian Per?owski, with the honoured attendance of officiating guest Mrs. Angelina Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs.

On 13 & 14 April in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), conductor Zhang Guoyong and violinist Baiba Skride will perform a programme of music composed at critical times in the lives of two Russian composers.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), together with renowned violinist Ning Feng under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor Yu Long, will bring a taste of Scotland to the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. They will tantalise the audience with the sights and sounds of Scotland as revealed by three composers - Mendelssohn, Bruch and Maxwell Davies on 6 & 7 April.

On Sunday, 8 April in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is delighted to present an afternoon concert for all the family featuring great music associated with Great Britain. HK Phil's Principal Guest Conductor Yu Long, the orchestra and violinist Ning Feng will introduce music from British composers Alun Hoddinott, Edward Elgar and Peter Maxwell Davies, as well as British-themed music from non-British composers including Percy Grainger and Max Bruch.

Jun Markl is known for his refined and idiomatic explorations of the French impressionists. In this concert, he marks the centenary of the death of one of France's most famous composers, Claude Debussy, with a performance of his famous evocation of the sea in all its moods, La Mer. Markl will also lead the HK Phil in the Hong Kong premiere of Circulating Ocean, a richly colourful score by Japanese contemporary composer Toshio Hosokawa. The programme also includes Mendelssohn's The Hebrides Overture which portrays the violent seas off the west coast of Scotland, and the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla's highly atmospheric piano concerto, Nights in the Gardens of Spain, performed by Argentinean pianist Ingrid Fliter. (A change from the advertised programme made at the request of the soloist.)

All tickets for the three concerts by the world-renowned Japanese composer-conductor Joe Hisaishi with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall have been sold out. Maestro Hisaishi has happily agreed to perform an additional concert with the HK Phil, to be held on 5 May 2018 (Sat, 3PM). Aligning with the other three performances, 80% of the tickets will be made available for public purchase. The remaining tickets will be allocated to the HK Phil's sponsors and partners.

2018 is the centenary of the end of World War One and also the 70th birthday of Polish Animation. In the upcoming Swire Classic Insights, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) will present fabulous music, on-stage commentary, and live animation in three concerts to be held on 2 March (Fri), 3 March (Sat) and 16 March (Fri) at 8pm in the Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, Centennial Campus, The University of Hong Kong. Registration is required. Ticket registration begins on 13 February 2018.

With the last note of Brunnhilde's Immolation Scene, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) reached the conclusion of its 4-year epic journey through Wagner's Ring Cycle. The HK Phil is proud to announce the completion of these first-ever performances in Hong Kong, recorded for enjoyment and posterity by Naxos. This awe-inspiring project would never be possible without the HKSAR Government's generous support in granting the HK Phil the contestable funding for four consecutive years. In fact, the HKSAR Government not only supported this financially, but also in person, and it was a great honour to have Ms Michelle Li, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (LCSD), and other senior members of the Home Affairs Bureau and the LCSD joining on 18th January to celebrate the end of this vast masterpiece.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) will present romantic love songs from classic movies this Valentine's Day, 14 February 2018 (Wed), 8PM, in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, including: Gone with the Wind: Tara's Theme Lyrics were later added to the theme by Mack David and became the song My Own True Love, sung by Margaret Whiting and widely known since its release in October 1948.

Two young prodigies will perform three musical works by gifted composers with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) on 2 & 3 February 2018 (Fri & Sat), 8PM, in the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall.

The internationally and locally acclaimed performance of Wagner's complete Ring Cycle given by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), reaches its fourth and last part - G tterd mmerung - on 18 and 21 January 2018 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Once again, the HK Phil's Music Director Jaap van Zweden conducts the performances and is joined by a cast of world-renowned Wagnerian singers and outstanding choruses.

Due to heavy demand for the Christmas for Family concert, a further performance has been scheduled. Act fast to snap up remaining tickets for these popular festive concerts from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil)!

The chic and sophisticated French pianist, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, will perform two very different piano works from East and West in the concert Thibaudet plays Gershwin to be held on 15 & 16 December 2017 (Fri & Sat), 8PM, in the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. The concert also features Elgar's popular Enigma Variations. Don't miss!

At the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's (HK Phil) annual outdoor symphonic extravaganza - Swire Symphony Under The Stars - on 11 November 2017 (Saturday) at Central Harbourfront, the Swire Group announced the renewal of its commitment to the HK Phil as Principal Patron for another three years from April 2018, with a grant of HK$46.4 million.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) was once again invited by the Beijing Music Festival to perform this year after the widely-acclaimed closing concert in 2016. Led by its Music Director, Jaap van Zweden, HK Phil presented two programmes at the 20th Beijing Music Festival in October. The performances were an outstanding success with audiences and critics alike.

Mozart and Oboe a marriage made in Heaven! Hear famous Mozart arias from The Magic Flute re-interpreted by eminent French oboist Francois Leleux, who is recognised throughout the world as the best oboist of his generation.

For over 50 years Charles Dutoit has been recognised as one of the leading orchestral conductors. He has recently been awarded one of classical music's highest honours, the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal.

Swire Symphony Under The Stars, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's free annual outdoor mega-concert, is just around the corner. This year, the HK Phil has invited two young Hong Kong musical prodigies, pianist Johnson Li and violinist Paloma So, to perform against the backdrop of the city's spectacular harbour skyline.