Programme

About the Programme

Cantonese music (Guangdong music) is an indigenous, traditional music culture of Hong Kong. It was also among the first list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Guangdong Province.  The cultural and political divergence between Hong Kong and Mainland China after the 1950’s led to different trends of development for Cantonese music, resulting in music of different character between the two regions of Hong Kong and Guangdong.  For the latter, its local background lends it advantage and spawned numerous original compositions.

The concert Cantonese Music and Its Roots takes you to the source of this music genre, and traces its development through presenting the different types of music born out of rather unique configurations such as wind-and-percussion and wind-and-strings, as well as music of the modern Chinese ensemble and instrumental solo.  The programme features famous tunes from Guangdong, performed by the Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble led by virtuosi and fresh talent who were natives of Guangdong and have resettled in Hong Kong.

About the Performer

Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble
Conductor / Suona / Houguan / Yehu: Ko Tit-kwan
Gaohu: Zeng Qiujian
Yangqin: Guo Jiaying
Docent in Cantonese: Chan Chiu-yin

Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble
The Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble was founded in 2003 with promoting Chinese and Hong Kong local music culture as its mission. Apart from researching and studying traditional Chinese folk music, it also dedicates itself towards exploring modern Chinese ensemble music, and exhibiting the unique charms and styles of Chinese ensemble music, described as “small but elegant, and simple but refined”. The members have received professional music training and possess extensive experience in concert performance in Hong Kong and overseas. At present, majority of the members are working in the fields of music performance, education and research.

The Ensemble holds regular music activities such as concerts, workshops, music camps, master classes, talks, cultural gatherings and exhibitions featuring different types of instruments performed by Chinese virtuosi and young musicians from Hong Kong, in a bid to introduce to the public works of both the traditional and modern repertoire in Chinese music, dizi music, Guangdong music culture in Hong Kong and original compositions by local composers. Since its inception, the Ensemble has presented concerts for 13 dizi maestros in China, and commissioned and premiered more than 10 works by local composers. In addition to its local engagements, the Ensemble has represented Hong Kong in exchange performances in the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Hunnan, bringing the local culture of Chinese music to audiences overseas.

The Ensemble has been selected as the “Community Cultural Ambassador” of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in 5 consecutive years since 2007.  Also, over 200 outreach performances had been organized under the “Trial Scheme on Community Performing Arts Programme” of the Home Affairs Department in 2010.  Since 2011, The Ensemble has become the recipient of the One-Year Grant of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and established the “Windpipe Chinese Music Ensemble Ltd.” for its daily operation.

Ticketing

Tickets available from 19 September onwards at all URBTIX outlets, on Internet and by Credit Card Telephone Booking.

Half-price tickets available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities and the minder, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Limited tickets for CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis).

Group Booking Discount
10% off for each purchase of 4-9 standard tickets; 15% off for 10-19 standard tickets; 20% off for 20 or more standard tickets.

‘Guangdong Music Series’ Package Discount
10% off for each purchase of standard tickets for any 2 different programmes, 15% off for any 3 different programmes, 20% off for any 4 or more different programmes.

Patrons can enjoy only one of the above discount schemes for each purchase.  Please inform the box office staff at the time of purchase.

Programme Length
Running time of each concert is about 2 hours with an intermission of 15 minutes.

Audiences are strongly advised to arrive punctually.  No latecomers will be admitted until the interval or a suitable break in the programme.

Enquiries
Programme Enquiries: 2268 7321
Ticketing Enquiries: 2734 9009
Credit Card Telephone Booking: 2111 5999
Internet Booking: www.urbtix.hk

The presenter reserves the right to substitute artists and change the programme should unavoidable circumstances make it necessary.

Programme Notes

27 Dec