Musicus Society's Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: Neoclassicism Refashioned
11.06.2023
(6 November 2023, Hong Kong) The former North Kowloon Magistracy in Sham Shui Po functioned for 45 years before closing in 2005, leaving behind an impression of time suspended within. From 1 to 3 December 2023, Musicus Society will present a series of five concerts titled Neoclassicism Refashioned in Court No. 1 of this Grade II historic building as part of the Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories program, which pays homage to its history using the inspiration of the cheongsam, a traditional Chinese style of attire.
Music meets architecture and fashion in a stimulating concert experience
The historical building showcases an architectural style of stripped classicism, featuring symmetrical structures and clean lines, and perfectly complements the original judicial function of the courts of law it housed. Musicus’s Artistic Director and internationally renowned cellist Trey Lee has handpicked musical pieces that resonate with this architectural style. He will be joined by guest violinist Martin Funda from Germany and talented local string musicians for the five concerts, which highlight works by neoclassical composers Richard Strauss, Brahms and Hindemith.
Interpreting traditional cheongsam with contemporary style as a cross-artform collaboration
When this heritage site was founded in the 1960s, it was a flourishing era for the cheongsam in Hong Kong. On the other hand, it had previously been revitalized into an art and design school to nurture young creative talents. Musicus Society has therefore invited the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association for collaboration and commissioned two new garments – one men’s and one women’s – from young designers. A special exhibition curated by the Association showcases the history and tailoring techniques of the iconic cheongsam. Works by students from the School of Fashion and Textiles of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Design Institute will also be on display, as well as cheongsams provided by Hulu Culture for try-on and photo-taking experience.
Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: Neoclassicism Refashioned – Concerts, Guided Tours and Exhibition
Free programs include concerts, guided tour and exhibition. By invitation only. For program enquiries, please click here.
Sze-wai Ho, Senior Manager (Marketing)
Tel: (852) 3758 2726
Email: szewai.ho@musicussociety.org
Sherlock Lam, Marketing and Development Manager
Tel: (852) 3758 2734
Email: sherlock.lam@musicussociety.org
About Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories
Jockey Club Musicus Alive program has been funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2019. With renewed funding from the Charities Trust in 2022, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories is a three-year program that aims to celebrate Hong Kong history with music. Year-long heritage activities include masterclasses, school visits, tailor-made performances, and heritage guided tours. In addition to serving as a platform for international artists to nurture local musicians and young talent, the program also creates an enriched and meaningful concert experience for the public at large. The new series also invites artists from other art forms to create new works, bringing new perspectives on historical sites.
About The Former North Kowloon Magistracy
Built in 1960, the Former North Kowloon Magistracy is a Grade 2 historic building, which is representative of the public architecture of that era. It bears witness to the judicial development of Hong Kong and has significant social and historical values. Marked by design features of Stripped Classicism, the seven-story building was formerly the home of four Magistrates’ Courts, a Juvenile Court and offices of government departments. The North Kowloon Magistracy, responsible for cases from Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Shek Kip Mei, Cheung Sha Wan and Ho Man Tin, ceased operations in 2005 because of a merger program.
The building was revitalized and transformed into the campus of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Hong Kong (2010–2020). Under Batch VI of the “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme”, the former North Kowloon Magistracy is being revitalized by SideBySide to “NK Future” — a universal judicial education center. This project is expected to be ready to begin operationgs in 2026.
About Musicus Society (www.musicussociety.org)
Musicus Society was founded by a group of music lovers in 2010 under the vision of renowned cellist Trey Lee, with a mission to promote cross-cultural collaboration of music internationally. Apart from the annual Musicus Fest, which provides a meeting point for artists from across the world, the Musicus Heritage Community Concert Series bring world-class artists to local heritage sites. Moreover, the Musicus Inspires! Educational program aims to nurture aspiring young musicians in Hong Kong, as well as cultivating students from all social backgrounds. Directed and initiated by renowned cellist Trey Lee, Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK) is comprised of some of Hong Kong’s top next-generation artists who are based all over the world. They are focused on becoming a leading chamber ensemble representing Hong Kong internationally. Musicus Society is a registered charity and financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Music meets architecture and fashion in a stimulating concert experience
The historical building showcases an architectural style of stripped classicism, featuring symmetrical structures and clean lines, and perfectly complements the original judicial function of the courts of law it housed. Musicus’s Artistic Director and internationally renowned cellist Trey Lee has handpicked musical pieces that resonate with this architectural style. He will be joined by guest violinist Martin Funda from Germany and talented local string musicians for the five concerts, which highlight works by neoclassical composers Richard Strauss, Brahms and Hindemith.
Interpreting traditional cheongsam with contemporary style as a cross-artform collaboration
When this heritage site was founded in the 1960s, it was a flourishing era for the cheongsam in Hong Kong. On the other hand, it had previously been revitalized into an art and design school to nurture young creative talents. Musicus Society has therefore invited the Hong Kong Cheongsam Association for collaboration and commissioned two new garments – one men’s and one women’s – from young designers. A special exhibition curated by the Association showcases the history and tailoring techniques of the iconic cheongsam. Works by students from the School of Fashion and Textiles of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Hong Kong Design Institute will also be on display, as well as cheongsams provided by Hulu Culture for try-on and photo-taking experience.
Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: Neoclassicism Refashioned – Concerts, Guided Tours and Exhibition
Free programs include concerts, guided tour and exhibition. By invitation only. For program enquiries, please click here.
| Concert 1 | 1 December 2023 (Fri) 7:30pm |
|---|---|
| Haydn | String Quartet in D, Op. 33, “Russian”, No. 6, Hob. III:42 |
| Performers | Violins: Aaron Chan*, Martin Funda Viola: Born Lau Cello: Jia Nan* |
| Richard Strauss | Metamorphosen, TrV 290 (arranged by Rudolf Leopold for string septet) |
| Performers | Violins: Martin Funda, Aaron Chan* Viola: Born Lau, Jeremy Hao* Cellos: Trey Lee, Jia Nan* Double Bass: Marco Lee#* |
The concert is approximately 1 hour long, with no intermission. Free seating. A 40-minute heritage guided tour in Cantonese will be arranged after each concert.
| Concert 2 & 4 | 2–3 December 2023 (Sat, Sun) 2pm |
|---|---|
| Hindemith | Eight Pieces for Strings No. 3, from the Schulwerk for Instrumental Ensemble Playing, Op. 44 (1st to 4th movement) |
| Performers | Violins: Aaron Chan*, Martin Funda Viola: Born Lau Cello: Jia Nan* Double Bass: Marco Lee#* |
| Brahms | String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36 (1st and 2nd movement) |
| Performers | Violins: Martin Funda, Aaron Chan* Violas: Jeremy Hao*, Born Lau Cellos: Trey Lee, Jia Nan* |
Each concert is approximately 30 minutes long, with no intermission. Free seating. A 40-minute heritage guided tour in Cantonese will be arranged after each concert.
| Concert 3 & 5 | 2–3 December 2023 (Sat, Sun) 4pm |
|---|---|
| Hindemith | Eight Pieces for Strings No. 3, from the Schulwerk for Instrumental Ensemble Playing, Op. 44 (5th to 8th movement) |
| Performers | Violins: Aaron Chan*, Martin Funda Viola: Born Lau Cello: Jia Nan* Double Bass: Marco Lee#* |
| Brahms | String Sextet No. 2 in G, Op. 36 (3rd and 4th movement) |
| Performers | Violins: Martin Funda, Aaron Chan* Violas: Jeremy Hao*, Born Lau Cellos: Trey Lee, Jia Nan* |
Each concert is approximately 30 minutes long, with no intermission. Free seating. A 40-minute heritage guided tour in Cantonese will be arranged after each concert.
*Member of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong
#With kind permission of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra
In no event shall the Funder have any liability of any kind for any person or entity arising from or related to any actions taken or not taken as a result of any of the contents herein.
For media enquiries, please contact Musicus Society:
Sze-wai Ho, Senior Manager (Marketing)
Tel: (852) 3758 2726
Email: szewai.ho@musicussociety.org
Sherlock Lam, Marketing and Development Manager
Tel: (852) 3758 2734
Email: sherlock.lam@musicussociety.org
About Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories
Jockey Club Musicus Alive program has been funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2019. With renewed funding from the Charities Trust in 2022, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories is a three-year program that aims to celebrate Hong Kong history with music. Year-long heritage activities include masterclasses, school visits, tailor-made performances, and heritage guided tours. In addition to serving as a platform for international artists to nurture local musicians and young talent, the program also creates an enriched and meaningful concert experience for the public at large. The new series also invites artists from other art forms to create new works, bringing new perspectives on historical sites.
About The Former North Kowloon Magistracy
Built in 1960, the Former North Kowloon Magistracy is a Grade 2 historic building, which is representative of the public architecture of that era. It bears witness to the judicial development of Hong Kong and has significant social and historical values. Marked by design features of Stripped Classicism, the seven-story building was formerly the home of four Magistrates’ Courts, a Juvenile Court and offices of government departments. The North Kowloon Magistracy, responsible for cases from Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Shek Kip Mei, Cheung Sha Wan and Ho Man Tin, ceased operations in 2005 because of a merger program.
The building was revitalized and transformed into the campus of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) Hong Kong (2010–2020). Under Batch VI of the “Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme”, the former North Kowloon Magistracy is being revitalized by SideBySide to “NK Future” — a universal judicial education center. This project is expected to be ready to begin operationgs in 2026.
About Musicus Society (www.musicussociety.org)
Musicus Society was founded by a group of music lovers in 2010 under the vision of renowned cellist Trey Lee, with a mission to promote cross-cultural collaboration of music internationally. Apart from the annual Musicus Fest, which provides a meeting point for artists from across the world, the Musicus Heritage Community Concert Series bring world-class artists to local heritage sites. Moreover, the Musicus Inspires! Educational program aims to nurture aspiring young musicians in Hong Kong, as well as cultivating students from all social backgrounds. Directed and initiated by renowned cellist Trey Lee, Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK) is comprised of some of Hong Kong’s top next-generation artists who are based all over the world. They are focused on becoming a leading chamber ensemble representing Hong Kong internationally. Musicus Society is a registered charity and financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.