Season Opening: Jaap & Joshua Bell

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Programme
The Elements (Asia Premiere)
Kevin PUTS｜Earth
Edgar MEYER｜Water
Jennifer HIGDON｜Air
Jake HEGGIE｜Fire
Jessie MONTGOMERY｜Space

TCHAIKOVSKY｜Symphony no. 4

The HK Phil commences its 50th concert season with the Asia Premiere of The Elements, a collaborative work by five leading American composers. Each composer incorporates their chosen element of earth, water, air, fire and space into the thematic narrative of their work. Commissioned and performed by Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, this important suite of new works is conducted by Music Director Jaap van Zweden, who concludes the concert with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 4 – a poignant and ultimately triumphant battle with fate.

The concert runs approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with an intermission.

Artists
Jaap van Zweden, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin

Title Sponsor of Opening Night Concert
UOB

International Media Partner
The New York Times

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) is one of the leading orchestras in Asia. The annual schedule focuses on symphonic repertoire, with conductors and soloists from all over the world. The HK Phil runs an extensive education programme, commissions new works, and nurtures local talent. The most recent recording project is Wagner’s Ring Cycle following the first-ever performances in Hong Kong of these four operas. In 2019, the HK Phil received the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award – the first orchestra in Asia to receive this distinction. With Music Director Jaap van Zweden since 2012, the HK Phil has toured to Europe, Asia, Australia, and on numerous occasions to Mainland China. Yu Long is the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor, while Lio Kuokman is the Resident Conductor of the HK Phil.

Swire is the Principal Patron of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra