Exiting APA music head leaves a formidable legacy

Benedict Cruft first visited Hong Kong in 1971 as a young violinist on tour with the London Symphony Orchestra. Little did he know that he would eventually go on to mark a milestone of his career by becoming as the dean of music at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (APA). After all, back then, the academy didn't exist.

Now, after a decade running the academy's music department, Cruft is stepping down to return to his London roots. There's a sense of him having come full circle: the last concert he presided over included a performance of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony, which was also on the programme of his first Hong Kong concert more than 40 years ago. "It was a slightly self-indulgent bit of programming of mine," the 64-year-old says with a grin.

Although Cruft is leaving "the impact of his work will be felt for generations to come", says Professor Adrian Walter, the APA's director.

"Ben's contribution to the cultural life of Hong Kong has been extraordinary, both in terms of its quality and breadth. The academy has become a richer artistic and learning community as a result of the contribution he has made."

Cruft says being able to raise the profile of early music has been one of his most satisfying achievements. "When I came for my interview, I was told the fact that I'd played the baroque violin was one of the reasons they wanted me. So, naturally enough, I've expanded on that."

He cites the performances of early operas his department has staged, including Handel's Xerxes, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas and Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, all of which benefited from his acquisition of period instruments for the academy. These include a set of baroque gut-string instruments, plus pairs of baroque flutes, oboes and bassoons.