Jaap van Zweden shows his mettle: Mendelssohn and Elgar with the Hong Kong Philharmonic

By Alan Yu, 10 December 2012

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Reviewed at Hong Kong Cultural Centre: Concert Hall, Hong Kong on 8 December 2012

Mendelssohn, The Hebrides Overture, “Fingal's Cave”, Op.26

Mendelssohn, Symphony no. 3 in A minor, "Scottish", Op.56

Elgar, Sea Pictures, Op.37

Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

Jaap van Zweden, Conductor

Christianne Stotijn, Mezzo-soprano

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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Alan Yu

The first concert Alan attended was Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde. For 7 years he presented classical music programmes for Radio Television Hong Kong, partly to pay his way through university. He attends concerts whenever he can and believes there is no substitute for the thrill of live performances. He writes here.