Celebrations and tours keep HK Phil on its toes
Music director Jaap van Zweden says travel lifts orchestra's stature and will make the city proud
The local flagship orchestra's honeymoon period with its maestro is continuing into its second season with tours and a major anniversary event.
The Hong Kong Philharmonic opens its new season tonight under the musical directorship of Jaap van Zweden, who said working for six weeks and on six programmes a year, as compared with 12-14 weeks in normal practice, was not really a honeymoon for an orchestra.
"This year I will have nine weeks here, and with some touring, it will make a difference," said the Dutch maestro.
"Touring is important for the orchestra as we are together not just for a few hours a day, but day and night. It's a great way for us to work together and get to know each other better. If you want an international sound, you need to go international."
The Phil's tour to Taipei in December, and to Beijing and Shanghai in March will be the first time former violinist van Zweden has visited as a conductor. He said these tours, including a European tour in the future, would help improve the orchestra's international stature and make Hong Kong proud.
The new season also marks the orchestra's 40th anniversary. It turned professional in 1974.
Chief executive Michael MacLeod said a special heritage concert would be held on January 10 next year, the day of the anniversary, and another gala concert would be held in June.