Concert by percussionist Chau Chin-tung and friends promises to be a hit
When the principal percussionist of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has the chance to hold his own concert, he makes sure he gets to play all his favourite works
As much as Chau Chin-tungloves his job, there are the occasional pieces the orchestral musician has very little interest in performing but still has to practise and perform the best he can. So when the principal percussionist of the Hong Kong Sinfonietta has the chance to hold his own concert, he makes sure he gets to play all his favourite works.
"There is not a certain theme or message that I want to deliver through the show," says Chau. "But it reflects the yearning in me — and the dozen friends and colleagues whom I'll be performing with — to exercise our creative freedom. It's all about having fun and exploring the musical possibilities arising from our interactions."
Ng King-pan's will be performed by five flautists from the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra and five percussionists; while the concert will end with !, an energetic and uplifting piece composed jointly by Chau and percussion outfit Refiner Drums.
Chau says the concert will be divided into two parts, the first focusing on Western instruments and the second on Chinese ones as a nod to Chau's passion for both. The veteran percussionist is a 1996 graduate from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, where he studied Chinese percussion under Ho Man-chuen and Yim Hok-man, and Western percussion under Lung Heung-wing and Shaun Tilburg.
"I'll also revisit two of my Chinese pieces, both of which were created 10 years ago and still hold a special place in my heart, and challenge myself to conquer Eric Sammut's which I failed to perfect last time I attempted it," says Chau.
Other highlights include a new arrangement of French classic (Mother Goose) by Chau's fellow percussionist Scott Weatherson. A tuneful Japanese piece, , which Chau says will be popular among children, will ensure the concert is a family affair: "I want to make sure there's a good mix of style and something for everyone."
