Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

EVENT DESCRIPTION

After an 11-year hiatus, the internationally renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) is returning to Hong Kong to stage two concerts, on October 24 and 25 (Monday and Tuesday) respectively, by invitation from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), giving music lovers an opportunity to experience the acclaimed performances of this premier Orchestra that should not be missed.

Under the baton of distinguished conductor Franz Welser-Möst, over 100 members of the Orchestra will perform an array of classics from the romantic era. In the first concert on October 24, the Orchestra will present Wagner’s “Prelude to Parsifal, WWV 111”, Strauss’s “Death and Transfiguration, Op. 24” and Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 8 in G, Op. 88”. In the second concert on October 25, the programme includes Brahms’s “Tragic Overture, Op. 81” and “Symphony No. 3 in F, Op. 90”, as well as Strauss’s “Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Op. 30”.

Founded in 1842, the Orchestra has had a very close association with the history and tradition of European classical music for the past 180 years. Its unique system of guest conductors allows the Orchestra to promote artistic encounters with the most prominent conductors of each generation. The Orchestra has worked with countless famous conductors, including Hans Richter, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein. The Orchestra performs about 40 concerts every year in Vienna, and schedules international tours in countries such as China, Germany, the United States and Japan.

As a guest conductor of the Orchestra, Welser-Möst has enjoyed a close partnership with the Orchestra over the past years. He has twice appeared on the podium for their celebrated New Year’s Concert, and regularly conducts the Orchestra in subscription concerts, as well as overseas tours. Welser-Möst has also been the Musical Director of the Cleveland Orchestra for 20 years. Under his leadership, the Cleveland Orchestra has demonstrated its musical excellence, which has been repeatedly praised by international critics, including the New York Times, which hailed it “America’s finest (orchestra)” in 2020.

The concerts “Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra” will be held at 8pm on October 24 and 25 at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

To allow more music lovers to enjoy this spectacular music event, the LCSD will arrange live broadcasts on radio, television and online platforms.

Two pre-concert talks (to be conducted in Cantonese) will be held at 6.45pm on October 24 and October 25 respectively at the Foyer Reception Area, 4/F, Auditoria Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The first talk entitled “Darkness and Light” will be hosted by local music critic Ernest Wan, while the second talk entitled “‘Brahmsschwärmerei’: Richard Strauss’s adoration to the master and their footprints in Vienna” will be hosted by the Director of Marketing of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Mr Dennis Wu. Admission is free with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis and for walk-in only.