Musicus Fest 2019 peaked at a resounding high note regardless of the hurdles along the way. With cross-cultural collaboration at its core, Artistic Director Trey Lee led an excellent line-up over 30 artists from Germany, USA, Romania and Hong Kong, as well as aspiring young string players from Hong Kong in three highly successful concerts from November 21 to 24.
The highlight of this year’s Festival was the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra from Germany, a time-honored ensemble which has been active for over seven decades. Led respectively by conductor Johannes Klumpp and guest concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley at the Festival Opening and Finale, the Orchestra shone along soloists Trey Lee, Bendix-Balgley and 14-year-old Paloma So in concertos by Haydn, Bach and Vivaldi. The performances were greeted with thunderous applause in the auditorium.
Bringing music to cherished site located at the heart of Admiralty, the Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Alive concert was staged at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. The concert featured renowned violist Vladimir Mendelssohn and double bassist Lars Jakob, who collaborated with outstanding Hong Kong artists, including pianist Colleen Lee, violist Born Lau, cellists Trey Lee and Letty Poon, as well as Musicus Society Young Artist Audition laureates Brian Choi and Sirius Chau. In addition to a program of handpicked chamber gems, audience also gained insights to the history of the Former Explosives Magazine through free guided tour.
At the Festival Finale, Artistic Director Trey Lee gave a special vote of thanks to all guest artists from overseas, local talents, sponsors, patrons and audiences, expressing gratitude for the fruition of the Festival and affirming the Society’s resolve to bring comfort through music regardless of the difficult circumstances.
Financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Musicus Society gratefully acknowledges its sponsors and partners for Musicus Fest, including the Bank of China (Hong Kong), The Tung Foundation, CITIC Telecom CPC, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Robert Bosch Co Ltd. The Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Alive program is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
