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Muscle over tenderness in Hong Kong Phil's Brahms with Jaap van Zweden

Jaap van Zweden conducts the Hong Kong Philharmonic
© Ka Lam | HK Phil
The Hong Kong Philharmonic in City Hall
© Ka Lam | HK Phil
By Christopher Halls, 22 January 2023
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“one often craved some tenderness and some change of colour”
Reviewed at Hong Kong City Hall: Concert Hall, Hong Kong on 20 January 2023
Programme
Brahms, Symphony no. 2 in D major, Op.73
Brahms, Symphony no. 4 in E minor, Op.98
Performers
Jaap van Zweden, Conductor
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
More Concert reviews
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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Read reviews of
Hong Kong Philharmonic OrchestraJaap van ZwedenJohannes BrahmsSymphony no. 2 in D major, Op.73Symphony no. 4 in E minor, Op.98
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Hong Kong Philharmonic packs a punch with Tarmo Peltokoski at the helm
Christopher Halls
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!