The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra Returns Triumphant from its Seven-cities, Five-countries European Tour

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In late February and early March, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) returned to Europe for the first time in over a decade, with Music Director Jaap van Zweden, renowned Chinese violinist Ning Feng and Hong Kong born composer Fung Lam, whose Quintessence was given its European première during the tour. They performed in seven cities across five countries, with concerts given in London’s Cadogan Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein, Zurich’s Tonhalle, Eindhoven’s Musikgebouw, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Berlin’s Konzerthaus, and Amsterdam’s Rijs Museum - Several of which are acknowledged as the greatest musical venues in the world.

Full houses with standing ovation

The concerts were enthusiastically received with most of them attracting full houses and standing ovations. Jack So, chairman of the orchestra said, “It is 12 years since the HK Phil last visited Europe and much has happened to raise its stature. We are deeply grateful for the generous support from Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for sponsoring the London concert, as well as our Principal Patron Swire and many other sponsors and donors who have helped make this tour a success.”

Music director Jaap van Zweden explains further, “When we play in concert halls in Europe, we are compared to the European orchestras. This helps strengthen the calibre of the orchestra and I am glad that our qualities are recognised by the passionate audiences and critics at every stop on this tour.” Adding weight to van Zweden’s words, the orchestra’s repertoire on tour included some of works which are particularly well known amongst European audiences - Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony and Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony.  

The HK Phil also brought to Europe a piece written by the Hong Kong-born Fung Lam, which was commissioned by The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation as part of a project with the HK Phil to develop a uniquely Chinese repertoire for a unique orchestra situated in a Chinese city.

The tour was not organised without challenges, but none of these turned away the ambitious orchestra. Michael MacLeod, chief executive of the HK Phil tells SCMP, “We started planning this seven-cities, five-countries European tour with the best halls in Europe in 2013. From every aspect the tour was a great success. Future years will see more tours.”

Received Rosthorn Medal in Austria and nominated Innovation Award in Germany

The HK Phil was awarded Austria’s Rosthorn Medal for its special contribution to the bilateral relationship between Austria and China. The ceremony took place in the parliament building in Vienna.  

The orchestra was also nominated for the innovation award by the Germany-based Classical:Next for its promotion campaign, “virtual orchestra”, which attracted participants from Hong Kong and across the world.

As Cultural Ambassador of Hong Kong

The voice from Hong Kong was not confined to the concert halls (which are arguably among the world’s best.) In London, HK Phil’s board members and senior management as well as Robert H.N. Ho Foundation Composer-in-Residence Fung Lam attended the reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO) with the support of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The reception was held at the prestigious Whitehall and joined by figures from the political, economic, social and cultural scenes. In Berlin, orchestra representatives including HK Phil’s musicians and management as well as Fung Lam introduced the HK Phil at a reception organised by the HKETO. In Eindhoven a reception was organised by the HKETO’s Brussels office too.

Want to enjoy the European flavour at home?

Earlier, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust sponsored the pre-tour concert held in Hong Kong. For those who missed it, you still have a chance to enjoy the HK Phil concert from Europe:

• Vienna concert was filmed for distribution worldwide on TV, Internet and mobile networks.
• Eindhoven concert was recorded and made available to broadcasters through the European Broadcast Union. Hong Kong’s RTHK Radio 4 has broadcast this concert, available also on RTHK’s website. 
• Vienna/Zürich/Eindhoven/Amsterdam: Dutch TV has filmed footage of concerts and their “making of” during the tour, as part of the documentary on Jaap van Zweden.

What others say

The Hong Kong’s flagship orchestra did not tour unnoticed. The century-old band has attracted attention from European media:

The Times "Remarkable delicacy"

De Telegraaf "Many European orchestras wish they could play like this."

Der Tagesspiegel "A Moment of Glory… this concert stands as a monumental achievement."

De Volkskrant "clicked perfectly, producing sparkling colours"

NRC Handelsblad Cutuur Premiere "a dazzling concert"