Tan Dun & HKCO

The First Improvisation Performance between
Tan Dun and HKCO
World Premiere of Crouching Tiger Concert for
Erhu Solo and Chinese Orchestra

The name of Tan Dun has been closely associated with major happenings not only in China and Hong Kong, but around the world. From the dance drama The Yellow Earth to the opera Marco Polo; from Symphony 1997 (Heaven Earth Mankind) which marked the reunification of Hong Kong with China to the music for the television programme that ushered in the new millennium, 2000 Today: A World Symphony for the Millennium; from music for the modern dance drama Nine Songs to the film score of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tan has transcended the calling of a composer and a conductor to become a social institution, a radiant idol of the stage.
In his return cooperation with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, Tan Dun will, in this Chinese version of music from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, feature an erhu in place of the cello. Let us watch out for the electrifying sparks that will fly as he conducts the HKCO.

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Three Fast Movements Tan Dun

from Shadow of Sky for Bowed-string Instruments

from 5 Elements for Plucked-string Instruments

from Northwest Suite for Chinese Orchestra

Shadow of Sound for Six Players and Conductor Tan Dun

Concerto for Improvisation Tan Dun
Percussion: David Cossin

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for Erhu Solo and Chinese Orchestra Tan Dun
The Chinese instrumental orchestral parts are arranged by Chen Yuanlin based on the original western orchestral version. The erhu solo and percussion parts remain the same from the original score.
(World Premiere of Chinese orchestral version)

Erhu/ Zhonghu: Ma Xianghua
Percussion: David Cossin

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Music from the Heart - David Cossin (in English & Cantonese)

Renowned percussionist David Cossin will
demonstrate his dazzling techniques,
and also share his interesting experience of working
with Tan Dun and Yo-Yo Ma.

Date: 1/4/2003 (Tue)
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: HKCO Rehearsal Hall, 7/F,
Sheung Wan Municipal Services Building
Fee: $70/$55(for FoHKCO)
Reservations: 3185 1670

Composer/ Conductor :
Tan Dun

• Tan is the winner of the prestigious Grawemeyer Award for the composition of the opera Marco Polo and the 2003 Composer of the Year by Musical America. He began his musical career with the Peking Opera in China and he attended Beijing's Central Conservatory. Tan Dun holds a doctoral degree from Columbia University, where he studied with Mario Davidovsky and Chou Wen Chung.
• Tan Dun's music is played throughout the world by the leading orchestras and ensembles of our time. Tan Dun's compositions include the Orchestral Theatre series, a four-hour orchestral exploration of multi-cultural and multi-media; Water Passion After St Matthew for the Internationale Bachakadamie in Stuttgart, commemorating the 250th anniversary of Bach's death; the Concerto for Water Percussion and Orchestra for the New York Philharmonic with Kurt Masur; both Oscar & Grammy-winning film score for Ang Lee's film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon; the opera Tea, commissioned by Japan Suntory Hall and directed by Pierre Audi, in a co-production with the Netherlands Opera, and The Map: Concerto for Cello, Video & Orchestra composed for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
• Future commissions include an opera for the Metropolitan Opera (scheduled for 2006) and works for the LA Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic.
  

Percussion: David Cossin

• A native of Queens, New York City, David Cossin studied classical percussion at the Manhattan School of Music, but his interest in a broad spectrum of styles had led him to drum set, non-Western hand drumming, composition and improvisation.
• He currently specializes in new and experimental music, and has performed and recorded with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, composer Tan Dun, R&B legend Bo Didley and the New York based pop band B-Blush.
• Cossin has participated in music festivals worldwide; and has appeared as soloist with many orchestras. Active in musical theater, Cossin performed in productions of The Lion King and Tan Dun's opera Peony Pavilion. He played the solo percussion part for the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, with Grammy and Academy Award-winning music by Tan Dun.
  

Erhu/ Zhonghu: Ma Xianghua

• Born in Jinan, Shandong Province. Currently a teacher in the Central Conservatory of Music. In 1998 she was a postgraduate student and received her training under Professor Liu Changfu, a famous virtuoso in erhu. Besides majoring in the erhu, she also received training in the banhu and gaohu.
• When studying at the Central Conservatory of Music, Ma was twice awarded the Fu Chengxian Scholarship. Other accolades include a Class One Award in the Junior Erhu Section of the ART Cup International Chinese Instruments Competition in 1989, and first prize for erhu in the Taipei Chinese Instruments Competition.
• Ma has given more than a dozen solo recitals in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and North America since 1997, and has several solo album releases to her credit. She has performed with the Orchestras and Chinese Orchestras of Asia, Australia and the UK.
• Ma is recognized for her highly sensitive interpretations and refreshing performing style. As a maturing artist, Ma is regarded as an outstanding young performer.