https://www.scmp.com/rss/327373/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com “What do orchestras do?” Lio Kuokman, resident conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), wants audiences to ponder this question during the ensemble’s upcoming 49th season. The answer lies within the diverse line-up arranged for the HK Phil’s 2022/23 schedule. Featuring elements of Canto-pop, ballet and even Cantonese opera, the first phase of programmes planned for September to December may seem unlikely for a traditional orchestra, but it still promises to celebrate... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3187562/hk-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3187562/hk-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Aug 2022 04:00:16 +0000 [Sponsored article] It would be an understatement to say that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruptions – and for an industry that relies on live audiences in physical venues, the challenge over the last two years has been immense. The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), like its counterparts around the world, has faced many uncertainties, particularly regarding concert cancellations. Even significant events such as the celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday were not spared. “We... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/concerto/article/3175807/hk-phil-back-on-stage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/topics/concerto/article/3175807/hk-phil-back-on-stage?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Apr 2022 03:32:01 +0000 [Sponsored Article] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is set to reunite on stage in September with music director Jaap van Zweden, who is returning to the city to perform in person with the orchestra again after more than 18 months away. The 2021/22 schedule, which marks the HK Phil’s 48th season, is heavily anticipated as a triumphant homecoming for the ensemble after a challenging year, with a line-up of concerts that champion the works of great composers, while spotlighting a... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/hk-phil/article/3144485/hong-kong-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/hk-phil/article/3144485/hong-kong-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:09:49 +0000 [Sponsored Article] With the Covid-19 pandemic putting live concerts on pause, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) has embraced new, hi-tech ways of bringing classical music into people’s lives. Last July, after a months-long hiatus, the ensemble gathered onstage again in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall – with social-distancing precautions – to perform its debut virtual concert, which was the orchestra’s first live broadcast in 4K resolution via a 5G network. In December,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3119559/new-hk-phil-resident-conductors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3119559/new-hk-phil-resident-conductors?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Jan 2021 03:58:55 +0000 [Sponsored Article] As one of the world’s first orchestras to go into lockdown, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) might not have performed a regular, main stage concert since January – but over the past half-year its world-class, award-winning musicians have been anything but idle. Coronavirus can't stop the music The 90-plus ensemble’s DIY spirit and use of live-streaming technology saw it reunited virtually to perform for the world during its hit series, Phil Your Life With Music,... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3093455/hong-kong-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3093455/hong-kong-philharmonic-orchestra?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:17:04 +0000 [Sponsored Article]  In the world of classical music, 2020 is a significant year as it marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the world’s greatest composers. As his familiar compositions continue to delight global audiences, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is highlighting the celebrated German’s life and career by taking Hong Kong audiences on a musical journey after launching its special “Beethoven 250th” concert series, where it is performing... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/hk-phil/article/3051611/how-beethovens-personal-woes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/hk-phil/article/3051611/how-beethovens-personal-woes?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Feb 2020 06:27:55 +0000 A leadership change came into effect at the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) this month with Benedikt Fohr officially taking the helm as chief executive. The 55-year-old German has succeeded Michael MacLeod, whose eight years in the role were highlighted by many achievements, including the performances and recordings with music director Jaap van Zweden of the four opera-in-concert performances that make up Wagner’s Ring Cycle. “[Wagner’s Ring Cycle] was special because this is really... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3007632/new-hk-phil-chief-plans-expand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3007632/new-hk-phil-chief-plans-expand?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2019 10:00:18 +0000 Watching footage of the French-Georgian pianist Khatia Buniatishvili rip her way through Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition – a popular showpiece for virtuosos – her passion for playing is clearly evident. Her curly black bobbed hair flails as her body moves in time to fingers darting deftly up and down the keys with exhilarating speed: it’s a blistering, steely-wristed technique that has garnered plenty of admirers. I’m so excited and feel so lucky that I get to play around the world and... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/classical-music/article/3006358/passionate-piano-virtuoso?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/classical-music/article/3006358/passionate-piano-virtuoso?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Apr 2019 10:45:29 +0000 [Sponsored Article]  Students and teachers from several primary and secondary schools were treated to a performance by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s (HK Phil) flagship “Jockey Club Keys to Music Education Programme” at one of Hong Kong’s newest and hottest cultural sites, Tai Kwun. The chamber music performance, titled “Fantasia of Brass”, featured an extraordinary ensemble of brass instruments covering different eras and composers, as well as featuring a fun, educational and whimsical... https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3000964/opening-young-minds-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/presented/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/3000964/opening-young-minds-world?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Feb 2019 10:05:25 +0000 Works by two Austrian composers who experienced starkly contrasting levels of fame during their short lives – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the little-known Hans Rott – feature in Sunday’s concert by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) in the Guangdong city of Zhuhai, led by conductor David Stern. The performance, supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong, will take place at the RMJM-designed Zhuhai Huafa & cpaa Grand Theatre. Other than well-known works by Mozart... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/2181586/love-western-classical-music-continues?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/2181586/love-western-classical-music-continues?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Jan 2019 06:28:27 +0000 None of us enjoys the long wait to pick up our bags at the airport, but Steven Chan – whose job involves having to collect up to 80 cases each time – has things worse than most of us. Chan, the stage manager for the past 40 years of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) – the city’s leading orchestra – is responsible for dealing with the logistical problems of transporting the musicians’ assorted instruments whenever it is on tour. We never used to perform on a big stage and there were... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/2163898/show-must-go-steven-chan-mr-fixit-hong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/arts-culture/topics/concerto/article/2163898/show-must-go-steven-chan-mr-fixit-hong?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:02:44 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/concerto/article/2150789/new-line-and-star-conductor-hk-phil-turns-45?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/concerto/article/2150789/new-line-and-star-conductor-hk-phil-turns-45?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 Jun 2018 01:00:30 +0000