New York Philharmonic sets to thrill Hong Kong music lovers with two concerts in July after 15 years
- World-renowned New York Philharmonic will return to Hong Kong for two concerts on July 4 and 5, for the first time since 2008.
- Acclaimed conductor Jaap van Zweden will perform masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Dvořák.
- Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn will join NY Phil to perform Brahms’ concerto on July 4.
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Hong Kong’s musical realm will begin the second half of 2023 on a high note as the New York Philharmonic (NY Phil) will give two concerts at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, on July 4 and 5, under the baton of world-class conductor Jaap van Zweden. Celebrated violinist Hilary Hahn will perform at the concert on July 4.
NY Phil is considered one of the “Big Five” symphony orchestras in the United States. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest symphony orchestra in the US and one of the oldest in the world. Illustrious figures who stood on the raised podium conducting the Orchestra include: Tchaikovsky, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky, and Copland. Maestro van Zweden became the Music Director of the NY Phil in 2018-19, succeeding such top musical personalities as Bernstein, Toscanini and Mahler.
“For 180 years, we have been one of the best cultural ambassadors for New York and the US, as one of the top orchestras in the country,” says van Zweden. “The NY Phil and I are extremely proud of our relationship and what we have achieved together, especially these past few years that I’ve been Music Director, and we are celebrating our relationship – and I’m very happy to celebrate that with my public (if I can say that!) in Hong Kong.” Van Zweden has also been the Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) since 2012. Under his leadership, the HK Phil was named Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year in 2019.
On July 4, the NY Phil and violinist Hilary Hahn will perform Brahms’ magnificent Violin Concerto. The concerto will be followed by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6, said to be the composer’s last work.
On July 5, NY Phil will perform Beethoven's Symphony No.5, one of the best-known compositions in classical music. The concert will be concluded with Dvořák’s Symphony No.9, also known as the New World Symphony. The symphony was premiered by the NY Phil in December 1893.
Cellist Qiang Tu is equally enthusiastic about the repertoire. “I love each of the pieces we will be performing in Hong Kong. I am particularly excited to perform Dvořák’s New World Symphony, which is one of my favourites, because of its long and storied history with the NY Phil. As an orchestra, we have our own interpretation and understanding of the piece unique to us. It is really something special,” Tu says.
Many concertgoers in Hong Kong are excited in their anticipation for maestro van Zweden conducting the NY Phil at a venue he is very familiar with. “I’m the same person wherever I go – I work the same whether I’m in New York or Hong Kong. As every human has a different soul, so does every orchestra. NY Phil has a very old soul; HK Phil has a very young soul. The orchestra in Hong Kong is nearly 50 years old; and the orchestra in New York is 180 years old. I think we bring different traditions to the stage,” he says. “For me, I would say, the joy which I have in New York – it’s the same joy I have in Hong Kong, and vice versa. And I love the musicians. I think they are world-class musicians. Everybody is different in their own way – the sense of timing, the perception of how they make music – but one thing is the same, and that is the quality of wanting to be the best we can. In that, it is completely the same.”
Three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn melds expressive musicality and technical expertise with a diverse repertoire guided by artistic curiosity. Other honours include the Eleventh Annual Glasshütte Original Music Festival Award and the Herbert von Karajan Award. In 2023, she was named Musical America's Artist of the Year. She will become the NY Phil's Artist-in-Residence in the 2023/24 season.
“Hilary is in the prime of her career, and she is one of the real great violinists of our time,” says maestro van Zweden. “The relationship between all of us – Hilary, the NY Phil, and me – is already a very close one and has been for, I would say, decades,” van Zweden says. “We are extremely happy whenever she’s on the stage with us; and we are extremely happy to be there with her. Such a great talent, such a great violinist – very, very strong personality, which we adore.”
The concerts in Hong Kong are part of NY Phil’s 2023 Asia Tour. These two sold-out concerts will be broadcast live on the website of LCSD’s Cultural Presentations Section, RTHK TV 32 and RTHK Radio 4. Free fringe activities include the Masters’ Showcase by New York Philharmonic String Quartet and two pre-concert talks. For details, please visit the programme’s website.
New York Philharmonic
Dates: July 4 and 5, 2023 (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Time: 8pm
Venue: Concert Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Centre