Swire Symphony Under the Stars 2010

Happy Valley Racecourse Recreation Ground, Nov 26, 7.30pm

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's free open-air concert series returns tomorrow night, with Boris Giltburg taking the hot seat as soloist performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 with conductor Perry So.

The Israeli-Russian pianist says it's hard to explain the challenges of the piece in just a few words, noting that what usually excites him about any work is the music itself.

'The real point of interest, 'what this is all about', is the music itself,' says Giltburg (right). 'The score - as a reflection of the composer's thoughts and ideas, and from the interpreters' point of view - is a blueprint from which to recreate those ideas during the performance, as raw musical energy noted down on the page, waiting to be realised.'

He adds the score is also central to the challenge of performing a work. 'It lies in the inner desire and need and hope to be able to realise the potential that lies within the score to the fullest, to do utmost justice to the music ... to be able to exercise its wonderful, nearly magical power, to make them [listeners] forget their troubles and be transported for an hour or two to a different place.

'It's tough, and it doesn't always happen, but when it does it is one of the greatest things on earth.'