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Kylie Knott

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
 
The start of a new year is always a quiet time in the cultural calendar. This makes the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival, which runs from January 15 to 23, a welcome event.
Since its debut in 2009, the festival, founded by Premiere Performances' Andrea Fessler and cellist Trey Lee, has doubled in size, scope and audience reach; from an 11-artist, four-concert event to one of the city's biggest classical music celebrations. This year's festival is no exception, says Fessler.
"The number of concerts has remained pretty much the same [five to six], but what's grown is the outreach events, the audience interest and the star power of the musicians."
She says the festival's growth reflects the city's increasing appreciation for chamber music: "What's been great is seeing the culture of chamber music expand. When we started the festival, some were sceptical, as they thought there wasn't enough interest in chamber music in Hong Kong. But this has not been the case: more arts groups are presenting chamber music, and more professional chamber music groups are being formed."
Fessler hopes audiences will take this passion home from the festival. "Chamber music has been largely overlooked in Hong Kong, so a big part of our job is to expose audiences to these masterpieces."
The programme includes performances by violin maestros Vadim Repin from Russia and Lin Cho-liang - the festival's artistic director - from Taiwan; cellists Wang Jian from the mainland and American Gary Hoffman and the Texas-based Miró Quartet. But picking highlights is no easy task, says Fessler. "It's like asking me which of my children is my favourite!"
Every concert has been carefully crafted to showcase a range of styles and instruments.
"We have three concerts in the City Hall Concert Hall and three in the intimate HKAPA Jockey Club Amphitheatre - maybe audience members could try a concert in each venue to experience the contrast and the impact on the concert experience."
Other highlights include two outreach events by Richard Kogan, an eminent psychiatrist and pianist who will discuss how the mental state of the composers can be heard in their music. Kogan will discuss Beethoven and his impending deafness, and Schumann's bipolar disorder/insanity.
"Most people don't realise that a chamber music festival is extremely exciting. The musicians are soloists of the highest international calibre who come together to play," Fessler says.
 
Opening Night Gala Concert
	Master musicians including the festival's artistic director Lin Cho-liang will perform compositions including Mendelssohn's Octet and Brahms' vivacious Piano Quartet. January 15, 8pm, Concert Hall, City Hall, HK$120-HK$800
The Great German Lineage 
	This concert - featuring the Miró Quartet - explores how three great musical minds influenced each other. January 16, 8pm, HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Academy for Performing Arts, HK$80-HK$420
Happy Hour Concert 
	A good chance for busy bees to put some culture on their schedule. The concert will feature best-loved works from Mozart and Schubert and a chance to see local pianist Evelyn Chang in action. January 17, 7pm, HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Academy for Performing Arts, HK$50-HK$250
Brahms and the Hungarian Spirit 
	Weeping cello solos from Gary Hoffman and virtuoso violins - including the young star Augustin Hadelich - pull on the heartstrings. January 19, 8pm, HK Jockey Club Amphitheatre, Academy for Performing Arts, HK$80-HK$420
Vadim Repin & Friends: Russian Masterworks 
	Repin is one of the great violinists of our time and he will be showcasing works by his Russian compatriots with top festival musicians. January 21, 8pm, Concert Hall, City Hall HK$100-HK$600
Closing Night  Gala 
	Some of the world's best musicians - including pianist Jon Kimura Parker - perform compositions from Vivaldi to Rachmaninoff. January 23, Concert Hall, City Hall, HK$100-HK$600
kylie.knott@scmp.com
 
Tickets from Urbtix. For details visit pphk.org
 


Arts preview: Chamber music is growing in Hong Kong, say festival organisers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Kylie Knott

Kylie Knott