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Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: The Art of Rejuvenation

Bach to Britten: traditions revived

Echoing Tai Kwun’s revitalization as a mix of colonial and contemporary architecture, the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) breathes new life into classic chamber works in its Hong Kong concerts. English composers Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten promoted their predecessors’ music and rejuvenated lesser-known techniques and folksong forms. As highlight pieces, concertos by C.P.E. Bach and J.S. Bach will feature as soloists Musicus Artistic Director and cellist Trey Lee, with whom the ECO collaborated on his forthcoming new album Seasons Interrupted, and rising star violinist Aaron Chan.
 
The acclaimed ECO is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world and has been constantly in demand over the years, performing on Oscar-winning film soundtracks and at numerous royal events. Tai Kwun is a fitting concert venue for the ECO to play Benjamin Britten’s music, given that he himself oversaw a similar revival project of converting a former Victorian malt house into a concert hall.
 
For The Art of Rejuvenation, Musicus has invited Hong Kong new media artist Phoebe Hui to create a new artwork. She has upcycled stepper motors from everyday devices, and transformed musical inputs into visual representations that celebrate the intersection of the old and the new. 
 
Join us for an impressive program that brings together music that has stood the test of time and innovative art.

Click here to view the house program.
Ensemble Concerts | 17 & 18.5.2024 (Fri & Sat) | $320
Booking Platform: URBTIX
Duration of each concert is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including an intermission.
  • 17 May (Fri) 8:00pm
    Holst: St. Paul’s Suite, Op. 29, No. 2
    Elgar: Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20
    C.P.E. Bach: Cello Concerto in A, Wq. 172, H. 439
    Cello: Trey Lee
  • 18 May (Sat) 8:00pm
    Britten: Simple Symphony, Op. 4
    J.S. Bach: Violin Concerto No. 2 in E, BWV 1042
    Violin: Aaron Chan*
    Grieg: Holberg Suite, Op. 40

    *Members of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong
In addition to the Ensemble Concerts, John Mills, Concertmaster of English Chamber Orchestra, will join Trey Lee and three members of the Musicus Soloists Hong Kong in a series of chamber concerts. Mills will also host two master classes for Hong Kong students. Registrations are available now. Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 6 and above.
Chamber Concerts | 18 & 19.5.2024 (Sat & Sun) | Free
Registration Platform: POPTICKET
Duration of each chamber concert is approximately 30 minutes. A post-concert Heritage Guided Tour (in Cantonese) is held after each performance. (Separate registration is required, limited availability).
  • 18 May (Sat) 2:00pm and 19 May (Sun) 4:30pm
    Handel: Sinfonia in B-flat, HWV 339
    Violins: John Mills^, Aaron Chan*
    Cello: Trey Lee

    Purcell (arr. Britten): Chacony in G minor, Z. 730
    Violins: John Mills^, Aaron Chan*
    Viola: Annis Ma*
    Cello: Trey Lee

    Bridge: Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43
    Violins: John Mills^, Jeremy Hao*
    Viola: Annis Ma*
    Cello: Trey Lee
  • 19 May (Sun) 2:30pm
    Purcell: Selected Incidental Music from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629
    Violins: John Mills^, Jeremy Hao*
    Viola: Annis Ma*
    Cello: Trey Lee

    Bridge: An Irish Melody Londonderry Air for String Quartet, H. 86
    Violins: John Mills^, Aaron Chan*
    Viola: Annis Ma*
    Cello: Trey Lee

    Bridge: Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43
    Violins: John Mills^, Jeremy Hao*
    Viola: Annis Ma*
    Cello: Trey Lee

    ^Concertmaster of English Chamber Orchestra
    *Members of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong

Master Classes by John Mills | 14 & 15.5.2024 (Tue & Wed) | Free
Registration Platform: Eventbrite
Duration of each master class is approximately 2 hours. Conducted in English.
  • Chamber Music Master Class
    Venue: 7/F, Rehearsal Room CR1, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall Backstage
    14 May (Tue) 5:00pm
    Register on Eventbrite
  • Violin Master Class
    Venue: 9/F, Practice Room GP2, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre Backstage
    15 May (Wed) 5:00pm
    Register on Eventbrite
The presenter reserves the rights to change the program and substitute artists should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary. 
In no event shall the Funder have any liability of any kind to any person or entity arising from or related to any actions taken or not taken as a result of any of the contents herein. 
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