Composer: Tao, Conrad (b. 1994)

Jaap van Zweden led his new orchestra in a provocative premiere by the multi-talented Conrad Tao followed by a surprisingly bland Bruckner 8.

Jaap van Zweden to Alma Mahler: the Sixth Symphony couldn't be one of autobiographical clairvoyance – a triumph in artistic vision.

It’s not often that Beethoven gets second billing in a concert, but Jaap van Zweden’s inaugural programme as Music Director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday gave this impression. Two student compositions with strong Chinese heritage stole the limelight this evening, which was also the orchestra’s celebration of China’s National Day on 1 October.