English Chamber Orchestra: The Art of Rejuvenation – Bach to Britten: traditions revived
03.22.2024
(22 March 2024, Hong Kong) This May, Musicus Society presents the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) from London, UK, in heritage concerts featuring Trey Lee, Artistic Director of Musicus Society, and members of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong. The program includes works by famous English composers and C.P.E. and J.S. Bach, and its theme, The Art of Rejuvenation, has inspired a newly commissioned artwork from local new media artist Phoebe Hui. An unforgettable cross-art form concert experience awaits at Tai Kwun.
“[A] gem among the world’s chamber orchestras.” Roberto Forés Veses (conductor)
Founded in 1960, the acclaimed English Chamber Orchestra is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world and has been constantly in demand over the years. They celebrate and build upon its tradition of maintaining the highest international musical standards, nurturing new talent and focusing on the “best of British” music and musicianship, with appearances on Oscar-winning film soundtracks and at numerous royal events.
Presented over 17 and 19 May in Tai Kwun, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: The Art of Rejuvenation concludes the second year of the three-year project and is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. There are two ticketed ensemble concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings, while the three matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday are free chamber concerts.
Trey Lee, Artistic Director of Musicus Society, said, “It is our pleasure to introduce Hong Kong audiences to another outstanding orchestra from overseas. When recording my new album with the ECO, I was profoundly moved by the musicians, who displayed exceptionally high standards and shared my desire to create musical narratives. In our heritage concerts, they will perform works from classic English repertoire. We are also very excited to see local artist Phoebe Hui utilize upcycled materials and create new media art inspired by classical music.”
The Art of Rejuvenation reflected in music and in new media by Phoebe Hui
Tai Kwun, a revitalized historic site, is a fitting concert venue for the ECO to play Benjamin Britten’s music, given that its first patron himself oversaw a similar revival project of converting a former Victorian malt house into a concert hall. Moreover, it echoes Musicus Heritage’s spirit of infusing heritage venues with thematic programs and placing music in context.
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.
Such conversation is also reflected in the way the ECO breathes new life into classic chamber works in the program. English composers Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten promoted their predecessors’ music and rejuvenated lesser-known techniques and folksong forms. The highlight pieces – concertos by C.P.E. Bach and J.S. Bach – will feature soloists cellist Trey Lee, with whom the ECO collaborated on his forthcoming new album Seasons Interrupted, and rising star violinist Aaron Chan.
English Chamber Orchestra Concerts | HK$320 | JC Cube, Tai Kwun
Duration of each concert is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets are now available from URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Trey Lee's latest album Seasons Interrupted (2024) will be released on 17 May and the CD albums will be available for purchase at the concert venue on that day.
Short Chamber Concerts | Free | JC Cube, Tai Kwun
Performers include ECO concertmaster John Mills (violin), as well as members of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong Aaron Chan (violin), Jeremy Hao (violin), Annis Ma (viola), and Trey Lee (cello).
Duration of each short concert is approximately 30 minutes. Registration will be available on POPTICKET from 15 April 2024 with the option to register for the post-concert Heritage Guided Tours in Cantonese. Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 6 and above.
Free Master Classes with John Mills | Free
Violinist John Mills joins the ECO’s Hong Kong appearance as concertmaster. He is invited to give two master classes.
Registration for observation will be available on Eventbrite from 15 April 2024. Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Conducted in English; for ages 6 and above.
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.
For media enquiries, please contact Musicus Society:
Sherlock Lam, Marketing Manager
Tel: (852) 3758 2734 | Email: sherlock.lam@musicussociety.org
Scarlet Cheng, Project Manager
Tel: (852) 3793 3356 | Email: scarlet.cheng@musicussociety.org
“[A] gem among the world’s chamber orchestras.” Roberto Forés Veses (conductor)
Founded in 1960, the acclaimed English Chamber Orchestra is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world and has been constantly in demand over the years. They celebrate and build upon its tradition of maintaining the highest international musical standards, nurturing new talent and focusing on the “best of British” music and musicianship, with appearances on Oscar-winning film soundtracks and at numerous royal events.
Presented over 17 and 19 May in Tai Kwun, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: The Art of Rejuvenation concludes the second year of the three-year project and is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. There are two ticketed ensemble concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings, while the three matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday are free chamber concerts.
Trey Lee, Artistic Director of Musicus Society, said, “It is our pleasure to introduce Hong Kong audiences to another outstanding orchestra from overseas. When recording my new album with the ECO, I was profoundly moved by the musicians, who displayed exceptionally high standards and shared my desire to create musical narratives. In our heritage concerts, they will perform works from classic English repertoire. We are also very excited to see local artist Phoebe Hui utilize upcycled materials and create new media art inspired by classical music.”
The Art of Rejuvenation reflected in music and in new media by Phoebe Hui
Tai Kwun, a revitalized historic site, is a fitting concert venue for the ECO to play Benjamin Britten’s music, given that its first patron himself oversaw a similar revival project of converting a former Victorian malt house into a concert hall. Moreover, it echoes Musicus Heritage’s spirit of infusing heritage venues with thematic programs and placing music in context.
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.
Such conversation is also reflected in the way the ECO breathes new life into classic chamber works in the program. English composers Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten promoted their predecessors’ music and rejuvenated lesser-known techniques and folksong forms. The highlight pieces – concertos by C.P.E. Bach and J.S. Bach – will feature soloists cellist Trey Lee, with whom the ECO collaborated on his forthcoming new album Seasons Interrupted, and rising star violinist Aaron Chan.
English Chamber Orchestra Concerts | HK$320 | JC Cube, Tai Kwun
| 8:00pm | 17.5.2024 (Fri) | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 8:00pm | 18.5.2024 (Sat) | |
|---|---|
| Britten | Simple Symphony, Op. 4 |
| J.S. Bach | Violin Concerto No. 2 in E, BWV 1042 Violin: Aaron Chan |
| Grieg | Holberg Suite, Op. 40 |
Duration of each concert is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets are now available from URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). Trey Lee's latest album Seasons Interrupted (2024) will be released on 17 May and the CD albums will be available for purchase at the concert venue on that day.
Short Chamber Concerts | Free | JC Cube, Tai Kwun
| 2:00pm, 18.5.2024 (Sat) and 4:30pm, 19.5.2024 (Sun) | |
|---|---|
| Handel | Sinfonia in B-flat, HWV 339 |
| Purcell (arr. Britten) | Chacony in G minor, Z. 730 |
| Bridge | Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43 |
| 2:30pm, 19.5.2024 (Sun) | |
|---|---|
| Purcell | Selected Incidental Music from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629 |
| Bridge | An Irish Melody Londonderry Air for String Quartet, H. 86 |
| Bridge | Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43 |
Duration of each short concert is approximately 30 minutes. Registration will be available on POPTICKET from 15 April 2024 with the option to register for the post-concert Heritage Guided Tours in Cantonese. Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis. For ages 6 and above.
Free Master Classes with John Mills | Free
Violinist John Mills joins the ECO’s Hong Kong appearance as concertmaster. He is invited to give two master classes.
| Chamber Music Master Class | |
|---|---|
| 14 May (Tue) 5:00pm –7:00pm | 7/F, Rehearsal Room CR1, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall Backstage |
| Violin Master Class | |
|---|---|
| 15 May (Wed) 5:00pm –7:00pm | 9/F, Practice Room GP2, Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre Backstage |
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.
For media enquiries, please contact Musicus Society:
Sherlock Lam, Marketing Manager
Tel: (852) 3758 2734 | Email: sherlock.lam@musicussociety.org
Scarlet Cheng, Project Manager
Tel: (852) 3793 3356 | Email: scarlet.cheng@musicussociety.org
About Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories
Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2019, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Alive program has promoted music at heritage sites through special performances and outreach activities. The program also enhances the public’s knowledge of Hong Kong’s culture and history by presenting concerts that reflect their heritage settings, giving people an understanding of the layers of a global city — the relationship of a people with historical sites and the stories behind them. In addition to this, it also serves as a platform for international artists to collaborate with our own young talents, to bring their artistry to new heights. This program won the Star of Outstanding Award at the 2022 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases on an international online sharing forum. The forum was organized by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO.
Having met with a positive response from audiences and the community, Musicus is supported by funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in summer 2022 for another three years, with the project named as Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories. The new series invites composers and artists from other art forms to take part, presenting new perspectives on historical sites. The series also includes heritage guided tours, artist residencies and school tours designed to benefit concert audiences, students and the community at large.
About Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun is Hong Kong’s beating cultural heart, enabled by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) in partnership with the Hong Kong SAR Government. A vibrant, welcoming space that brings people together, Tai Kwun is committed to inspiring the community through arts, culture and heritage. Located in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, Tai Kwun brings creative energy into our city by providing the people of Hong Kong with access to a variety of immersive, world-class experiences. It is open for all members of our community to enjoy, nurturing appreciation for arts, heritage and culture.
Tai Kwun supports youth in our community with the skills and development opportunities needed to thrive in the creative industries. Together with HKJC, Tai Kwun aspires to contribute to a culturally vibrant Hong Kong, amplifying the city’s role as a thriving arts and cultural hub in the region and the global arena.
The relationship between HKJC and Tai Kwun continues HKJC’s longstanding role as a supporter of the city’s iconic arts and cultural institutions, which aligns with HKJC’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society. HKJC funded the revitalisation and continues to fund the ongoing operation of Tai Kwun, which consist of three Declared Monuments – the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison – transforming the historic site into an accessible world-class centre for arts, culture and heritage. In 2019, Tai Kwun received the Award of Excellence in the 2019 UNESCO Asia-Paci c Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
For more information, please visit: https://www.TaiKwun.hk/
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 brings 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 cultivate students from all social backgrounds. Directed and initiated by renowned cellist Trey Lee, Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK) comprises 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.
Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2019, Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Alive program has promoted music at heritage sites through special performances and outreach activities. The program also enhances the public’s knowledge of Hong Kong’s culture and history by presenting concerts that reflect their heritage settings, giving people an understanding of the layers of a global city — the relationship of a people with historical sites and the stories behind them. In addition to this, it also serves as a platform for international artists to collaborate with our own young talents, to bring their artistry to new heights. This program won the Star of Outstanding Award at the 2022 Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases on an international online sharing forum. The forum was organized by the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO.
Having met with a positive response from audiences and the community, Musicus is supported by funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust in summer 2022 for another three years, with the project named as Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories. The new series invites composers and artists from other art forms to take part, presenting new perspectives on historical sites. The series also includes heritage guided tours, artist residencies and school tours designed to benefit concert audiences, students and the community at large.
About Tai Kwun
Tai Kwun is Hong Kong’s beating cultural heart, enabled by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) in partnership with the Hong Kong SAR Government. A vibrant, welcoming space that brings people together, Tai Kwun is committed to inspiring the community through arts, culture and heritage. Located in the heart of Central, Hong Kong, Tai Kwun brings creative energy into our city by providing the people of Hong Kong with access to a variety of immersive, world-class experiences. It is open for all members of our community to enjoy, nurturing appreciation for arts, heritage and culture.
Tai Kwun supports youth in our community with the skills and development opportunities needed to thrive in the creative industries. Together with HKJC, Tai Kwun aspires to contribute to a culturally vibrant Hong Kong, amplifying the city’s role as a thriving arts and cultural hub in the region and the global arena.
The relationship between HKJC and Tai Kwun continues HKJC’s longstanding role as a supporter of the city’s iconic arts and cultural institutions, which aligns with HKJC’s purpose of acting continuously for the betterment of our society. HKJC funded the revitalisation and continues to fund the ongoing operation of Tai Kwun, which consist of three Declared Monuments – the former Central Police Station, Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison – transforming the historic site into an accessible world-class centre for arts, culture and heritage. In 2019, Tai Kwun received the Award of Excellence in the 2019 UNESCO Asia-Paci c Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
For more information, please visit: https://www.TaiKwun.hk/
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 brings 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 cultivate students from all social backgrounds. Directed and initiated by renowned cellist Trey Lee, Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK) comprises 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.