Petition accuses Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra of 'excluding local talent'
Top arts professionals lead criticism of flagship orchestra, where the music director says bringing in the best of the best is also crucial
An open petition is circulating in arts circles against the "systematic exclusion of local voices from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra's artistic planning and organisational mandate".
The petition, launched yesterday by veteran composer Doming Lam Ngok-pui and 17 other top arts professionals, takes issue with the flagship orchestra, as its next concert season features only one local conductor - and no soloists or work by local composers.
"[We] express great concern over the … orchestra's diminishing commitment to local contexts in its artistic programming, and the near-total exclusion of Hong Kong's talent from its long-term organisational vision," the petition says. "This, in our view, constitutes a misallocation of precious public resources."
The orchestra got HK$71 million in public funds last year.
The campaign, which had attracted 200 signatures last night, called for a full review of the HK Phil's governance that would "include an explicit and verifiable commitment to local artists". More than 100 people had lent their names to it.
"We are working on that," he said. "People in Hong Kong deserve that and of course we are only looking for the highest quality we can get."
Earlier in an exclusive interview with the , the Dutch maestro explained why they engaged non-local musicians.
"One important thing … is that an orchestra likes to build on relationships. But if you have different conductors every year, that can't be done," he said.
"We should at least establish relationships with big-name conductors like Jun Markl and [Christoph] Eschenbach. I really hope we can develop that."
He also clarified some details of the new season, which starts in September. "We have an obligation to young conductors and to give them chances … only of course [when] they are ready for it," he said, on granting a full concert to Karina Canellakis, his assistant from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, for her Hong Kong debut when her shows back home were for circuses and New Year's Eve.
Elim Chan, who this month becomes the first Hong Kong conductor to lead the London Symphony Orchestra, was lined up only for Christmas shows - and no full concerts at that. But van Zweden said: "I can promise you I will take care of this myself now and that she will be featured much better … next time."
He also spoke on the post of resident conductor, vacant since 2012. "A member of our orchestra, Andrew Ling, is interested in becoming a conductor and we will be working to give him the opportunity to conduct."
Hongkonger Ling, the Phil's principal violist, confirmed his interest but said he was not ready to give up playing.
