What do legs and legato have in common? When does a piano mean soft? They're the sort of questions local comedian Jim Chim Shui-man asks in the Hong Kong Sinfonietta's Short-cut to Classical Music: Musical Terms 'Therapy' Session. The posters advertising these musical education concerts feature Sinfonietta music director Yip Wing-sie pointing to a photo of a bare-chested Chim, whose torso and head are covered with the sorts of mostly Italian classical music terms that confound average music fans. On his forehead is 'pesto' (meaning quickly), on his lips is 'dolce' (meaning sweetly) and on his spiky hair 'pizzicato' (meaning the short, pricky sounds made when string players pluck their strings instead of playing with their bows). Yip says the concerts 'will be a humorous way to learn the meanings of musical expressions that composers use to let performers know how notes should be played. We believe that music should be for everyone.' Chim's commentary will punctuate live performances of short, catchy classical music standards such as Mendelssohn's Fingal's Cave, J. Strauss Jnr's Pizzicato Polka, Offenbach's 'Can-can' dance from the Orpheus in the Underworld Overture, Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee, Rossini's Semiramide Overture and Mozart's The Magic Flute Overture. 'Jim will act the part of the comedian,' says Yip. 'His commentary will provide insights into a list of musical terms that will be illustrated through the music. We've worked on the script together. I think it'll be very entertaining.' Chim, director of local drama group Theatre Ensemble, says he doesn't really know much about musical terminology. 'Most of the musical terms that [Yip] Wing-sie has chosen to highlight were new to me,' he says. 'But she will explain the more technical details. I hope my contribution will give the audience a different concert-going experience. There will be narrative, physical movement and visuals, as well as music. Expect some interactive games, too.' This is the second time Yip and Chim have worked together. They first met last May when the Sinfonietta, Theatre Ensemble and four other arts companies collaborated in a charity concert to raise money for children orphaned by Sars. While some arts organisations simply stopped performing, Yip and Chim took the initiative to raise people's spirits by staging an event that combined music, drama, ballet and song. The combination of talents seems to have attracted the public. As of mid-March, the Sinfonietta's educational concerts at the Cultural Centre, aimed at local young professionals, were almost sold out, while the two concerts in the New Territories are selling fast. And more musical education concerts of this kind are planned for the future, as part of the Sinfonietta's goal to further the integration of classical music with people's daily lives. In the past, the orchestra introduced similar programmes such as Ann's World of Music for children and family, Shortcut to Classical Music for classical music beginners, Orchestra on Campus for university students, and Know Your Classical Music for adults. Last year, concerts made up about 40 per cent of the orchestra's programmes and attracted an average of 90 per cent attendance. Its website www.hksl.org has an education section that includes etiquette tips for attending performances. The number of musical education programmes may be reduced next season as a result of financial constraints. Both the Sinfonietta and Theatre Ensemble are recipients of three-year grants from the Arts Development Council, and both were recently informed that their funding will be cut. Unfortunately, educational concerts are less profitable than conventional ones and 'they may be the first concerts that have to be scrapped next season', says Yip. Still, her goal is to make classical music accessible to as many people as possible, even if it requires the help of a stand-up comic. 'A society of music lovers means an inspired society,' she says. Short-cut to Classical Music: Musical Terms 'Therapy' Session. Wed, 7.30pm, Cultural Centre; Sat, 7.30pm, Sha Tin Town Hall; April 11, 7.30pm, Tuen Mun Town Hall. In Cantonese. $90-$200 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 9009
