A detox for Hong Kong from Fleming and the HK Phil

By Christopher Halls, 10 November 2019

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Reviewed at Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Concert Hall, Hong Kong on 8 November 2019

Wagner, Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod

Schubert, 3 songs for soprano and orchestra

Barber, Knoxville: Summer of 1915

Shostakovich, Symphony no. 9 in E flat major, Op.70

Renée Fleming, Soprano

Jaap van Zweden, Conductor

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Hong Kong Philharmonic offer precision and poise in Seoul

SangKwon Lee, 19th October

Two contemporary works pave the way for a big Tchaikovsky pairing at the Seoul Arts Center, with Yekwon Sunwoo joining the Hong Kong Philharmonic for the First Piano Concerto.

****1

Hong Kong Phil revels in Schoenberg’s beefed-up Brahms

Christopher Halls, 17th October

Led by celebrated Chinese conductor Long Yu, the Hong Kong Philharmonic shines in Schönberg’s bold Brahms “makeover” and features two of their own as soloists in a finely contoured performance of the Double Concerto

****1

A tokenistic Turandot in Hong Kong

Dr. Anton D. Luiten, 10th October

Veronika Dzhioeva presents a menacing Turandot in Opera Hong Kong's latest production which attempts to merge historical accuracy with the complexities of Orientalism.

***11

A triumphant return to Singapore by the Hong Kong Philharmonic

Chang Tou Liang, 20th February

On its 50th anniversary concert tour, the Hong Kong Philharmonic pulls out all stops in Singapore, joined by star French pianist Alexandre Kantorow.

*****

Lang Lang sparkles in Hong Kong Beethoven

Christopher Halls, 15th December

Star pianist Lang Lang delivers a drama-packed Beethoven concerto; Jaap van Zweden and the Hong Kong Phil impress in Copland's fanfare-filled Third Symphony.

****1

Hong Kong Philharmonic packs a punch with Tarmo Peltokoski at the helm

Christopher Halls, 30th June

Memorable Tchaikovsky from Leonidas Kavakos and the Hong Kong Philharmonic is flanked by strong performances of Sibelius and Shostakovich.

****1

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Christopher Halls

Sparked by a keen interest in early performance practice whilst studying violin at universities in Melbourne and Vienna, Chris embarked on a freelance career with ensembles in Europe, America, also performing regularly with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra back in his native homeland. Pragmatic and undeterred from continuing his journey after a serious accident abruptly ended his violinistic ambitions, he now shares his knowledge and insight into performance as a music critic, formerly writing for Vienna’s Wiener Zeitung and currently for the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where he also studies wine, his other great passion!

A detox for Hong Kong: soothing sensuality in Barber, brilliance in Shostakovich