Reed instruments have a long history in the world, and are found in almost all nations. The first pipe organ, the most majestic of all reed instruments, was recorded in history more than two thousand years ago. The Chinese traditional instrument, sheng, and the instrument that has found a universal identity, the harmonica, have developed families to enrich their range. Presented by the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, the concert The Wonderful World of Reeds – East West Rendezvous brings together these instruments at 8pm on March 12 and 13 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

From the trills of the hand-size harmonica to the magnificence of the pipe organ at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, you will be treated to the wonderful range of reed and pipe music as performed by the celebrated King’s Harmonica Quintet, a Hong Kong group that has plucked many laurels in world competitions, and local organist Hui Bun-yung.

Also appearing on the occasion will be Hu Tianquan, venerated performer of the Chinese reed family of instruments. He will be playing the traditional musical instrument, sheng, in its many variations (the soprano, alto, bass etc.), the bawu sheng and the miniature sheng (which is making its debut in Hong Kong). Though he will turn 70 this year, he is as active as ever on the musical stage. In this concert series, he will be demonstrating his exceptional virtuosity and versatility gleaned from a career that spans half a century.

See what five harmonicas can do when you hear the King’s Harmonica Quintet play two rhapsodies as different as their ethnic origins. Rumanian Rhapsody – No. 1 in A by George. Enesco (1881-1955) is a ballad rich in folk colours and an orchestral showcase piece. Beautiful Clouds Chasing the Moon, a traditional piece by Ren Guang(1900-1941), was rearranged by Mui Kwong-chiu for the Quintet into the Rhapsody of Color Clouds Chasing the Moon. Capture the rhapsodic thoughts in their different yet equally brilliant tone colours.

Hu Tianquan’s legendary tonguing techniques in playing the Chinese free-reed will be on full display in the section featuring the sheng family of instruments. He will be playing the tenor sheng in Phoenix in the Sky (on March 12 only) and the bawu sheng (which is a hybrid of the bawu and the sheng) in Song of the Ah-Si Tribe, two highly challenging pieces for any Chinese reed player. Other items on the programme such as Jin Melody (tenor sheng, on March 13 only), Red Flowers Blooming (alto sheng), Ode to the Yellow River – Second Movement of the Yellow River Concerto (bass sheng) and The Happy Luosuos (miniature sheng) may show you why Hu earns his name as the master of the genre.

Kuan Nai-chung’s Pipe Organ Concerto Symphony No. 2 is an example of how music crosses all boundaries. By using music idioms that are familiar to the modern day concert audience yet introducing innovative orchestration, he invites the audience to enter a world of pure music and easy transposition. The piece allows the expansiveness of the pipe organ to go hand in hand with the rich timbres of the Chinese orchestra.

In addition to the concert, there will be 3 meet-the-artist sessions held from Mar 7-13, 2004. All sessions will be conducted in Cantonese and/or Putonghua. The fee will be $50 per head, and $38 for Friends of HKCO. For details, please refer to the programme leaflet.

Tickets for The Wonderful World of Reeds – East West Rendezvous are available at all URBTIX Outlets at $150, 130, 110 and 90. Half-price tickets are offered for senior citizens, people with disabilities and full-time students. Friends of HKCO and HKCC can enjoy a 25% and a 10% ticket discount respectively. Enquiries: 3185 1600; Booking Hotline: 2734 9009. Internet Booking: www.urbtix.gov.hk. HKCO website: www.hkco.org


Artists Biography

Jing Jianshu　Guest Conductor

• Jing Jianshu is a National Class One Composer and Conductor, and an honoured recipient of the Special Allowance awarded by the State Council. As a conductor, Jing is noted for his confident flair and clean precision in Style. His interpretations are accurate and demonstrate insight. His performance is therefore always capable of touching the hearts of his audience. He was presented an “ Award for Promoting Sino-Austrian Cultural Exchange” by the Ministry of National Security of Austria.
• Some of Jing’s best known compositions include Prince Qin Takes His Roll Call, a Jiangzhou drum piece; The Golden Sands for Chinese percussion and orchestra; Da Chun, cokposed for seven Chinese instrumentalists; and a dance drama The Western Chamber. He also composed, with others, a number of full-scale song and dance productions, including Love on the Yellow River, By the Yellow River and The Yellow River Flows. He has won many major awards, including the Wenhua, the Gold Star, the Golden Bell, the Gold Lion and Five “One” Projects Award.

Hu Tianquan　Sheng

• Hu Tianquan began learning the suona and the sheng at the age of ten. His innovative spirit is shown in his continuous efforts on improving the expressions of the sheng as well as on the instrument itself. As a result, the sheng is no longer an accompanying instrument, but has come into its own as a richly expressive instrument for solo performance.
• Hu has arranged, in conjunction with others, The Phoenix Spreads Its Wings, As the Red Flag Unfurls, The Patrolling Troops on the Grassland, Doves Flying and Morning Song on an Island. He won a Golden Medal in the Folk Arts Competition at the World Youth Carnival in 1957.

King’s Harmonica Quintet　Harmonica

• The King's Harmonica Quintet, consisting of two treble, two tenor and one bass chromatic harmonica, was established in 1987 by five harmonica enthusiasts in Hong Kong.
• In 1997, the Quintet made a history in Hong Kong by winning the champion title in the Group category of the World Harmonica Championship in Germany. Since 1996, the Quintet appeared regularly in the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festivals as adjudicators and guest performers, as well as on international concert stages. Over the past two years, Quintet has attracted more than 15 original musical composition specially dedicated to the Quintet.

Hui Bun-yung　Pipe Organ

• Hui Bun-yung graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing arts where he received his Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts. He studied pipe organ performance with Ms. Wong Kin-yu and had lessons with Mr. Nicholas Danby and Mr. Arthur Wills.
• Hui has given recitals at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre as well as the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. He has also performed with different local choirs and orchestras as organist. Moreover, he has been invited to perform with the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra.

For more details

Tel：3185-1001 (Ms Annisa Tong)
Website：www.hkco.org
Email：inquiries@hkco.org