Since the HK Phil does not open 'officially' until this weekend and the sounds of La Scala were still in the memory, blaming the orchestra for seeming a little rusty might be out of place.
But Yip Wing-sie can be a persuasive conductor with the right music. She still can drag the occasional Baroque work, and hardly digs new ground with more solemn composers.
Yet when it comes to flash and filigree, she wields a mighty baton.
Nothing was flashier than three of the four French-Spanish works this weekend. All had Spanish themes, all were written by French composers (either by birth, education or residence), three of whom had Spanish ancestry.
That out of the way, these were flashy works indeed. The first half of the programme showed more dross than gold, but the orchestra soon warmed to their task.
The opening Chabrier Espana should be both racy in colour and distinguished in form. The HK Phil sounded heavy, flat, going through the paces. This was not unskillful playing, but Spanish beat was buried somewhere in the tapestry.