Musicus Fest 2016 Concluded with Thundering Applause

A variety of unique classical music experience for audiences of all ages

Hong Kong, 5 December 2016 –Musicus Fest 2016 has concluded with tremendous success with organizers praising the support of its international array of musicians, its sponsors and – of course – the audiences who thrilled to the variety of exciting classical music experience this year targeted at a multiple age-range.

With the continuous support of leading global financial services company Credit Suisse as Festival Lead Partner this year, Musicus Fest was held between November 23 and 27, with six concerts, starting with Breguet’s Celebration of Excellence Festival Opening on November 23. Featuring Artistic Director and international acclaimed cellist Trey Lee in collaboration with the dazzling Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto leading the Tapiola Sinfonietta, the Opening drew thunderous applause with Lee and Kuusisto returning with encores that elated the audience to a rapturous joy. The evening was attended by distinguished guests including Musicus Society’s Honorary Patron Mr CH Tung, Consul-General of Finland to Hong Kong and Macau Mr Jari Sinkari, Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs Ms Angela Lee Chung Yan and Chairman of Antiquities Advisory Board Mr Andrew Lam.

From November 24 to 26, a fascinating variety of festival concerts took place. These concerts include:

The soul searching Nan Lian Garden Musicus Heritage concert presenting the world premieres of Hong Kong composers Denise Hofmann and Hippocrates Cheng, and the improvisation inspired by Nan Lian by Pekka Kuusisto with his electronic violin.

The star-studded Chamber Music Gala with all overseas and local stars join hands in a program celebrating Dutch painter Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights”, including cello master Rocco Filippini, Kuhmo Festival’s Artistic Director Vladimir Mendelssohn, international prize-winning local violist Born Lau and pianist Cherry Tsang.

For the first time at Musicus Fest, two children concerts featuring “Barbar and Friends” with Tapiola Sinfonietta narrated in Cantonese by Radio 4 DJ Nancy Loo and her adorable 6-year old granddaughter Eliot Tse, and a special English version premiered in Hong Kong created by Trey Lee, his talented 12-year old niece Erita Chen and choreographer Jo Chim.  Enthusiastically received by the mesmerized audience, the English version captured the tenderness and drama from the story of Babar as expressed through Erita Chen’s captivating live acting and ballet performance while vividly narrated by Trey Lee.

As a special treat, the authentic Santa Claus from Finland also attended the two children’s concerts and greeted all the children afterward!

The Festival drew to an exhilarating close on November 27 that marked a celebratory Finale which featured Beethoven’s much-loved Symphony No. 4 in B-flat, showcasing the Tapiola Sinfonietta performing side-by-side with young talents from Musicus Society’s education program Musicus Inspires!. The concert also presented our very own international prize winning soprano Louise Kwong and the Finnish pianist Paavali Jumppanen, a protégé of Krystian Zimerman. All participants were congratulated by the Finale Concert’s Guest of Honor Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, for their outstanding performances and achievements.

As a concluding note, Artistic Director Trey Lee stated: “2016 Musicus Fest signifies a strong cross-cultural collaboration element with Finland. While we celebrate the success of having our Finnish friends performing with our new generation artists in Hong Kong, we look forward to next April’s visit to Finland where Musicus Fest’s Hong Kong artists will collaborate again with Finnish artists in Finland!”

A recipient of the Springboard Grant under the Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Musicus Society gratefully acknowledges its sponsors and partners for Musicus Fest, including Credit Suisse, Breguet, CITIC Telecom CPC, Consulate General of Finland, Visit Finland, Wild Taiga, Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and RTHK Radio 4.