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Brian Thompson

Fou Ts'ong - The Legend Returns

Hong Kong Sinfonietta

City Hall, Concert Hall

Reviewed: Apr 27

News of Mstislav Rostropovich's death  became known on Friday evening, just as the Hong Kong Sinfonietta was playing to a near- capacity audience at  City Hall.

Conductor Yip Wing-sie  told the audience after the interval, and then dedicated the performance of Dvorak's Ninth Symphony to the great Russian cellist. The tribute provided one of several opportunities at this concert to reflect on past achievements and future directions.

The concert opened with Kodaly's richly orchestrated Dances of Galanta, but it was  pianist Fou Ts'ong who was most responsible for the full house.  Fou was one of the first to show that Asian musicians could play with the best.

The light textures and airy optimism of  Mozart's Piano Concerto No12 in A Major, K414, make it perfectly suited to the Sinfonietta. Fou was most effective in the slow movement, playing at times with extraordinary intimacy. The audience clearly approved, demanding two encores and calling him back to the stage at least eight times (I lost count).

Many of the younger members of the audience will no doubt long remember Fou's performance.  They should also appreciate the  talented  Yip  and her contributions to Hong Kong's musical life. The ease with which   she communicates with audiences helps make the Sinfonietta's concerts refreshingly unpretentious.



Fou Ts'ong - The Legend Returns