Welcome to the New World

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Associate Conductor/Presenter: Vivian Ip

Programme

Smetana
My Fatherland: The Moldau

Dvořák
Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95, “From the New World”

A heart-to-heart talk between Smetana and Dvořák – the giants of Czech music

on the occasion of Smetana’s 200th birthday celebration and Czech Year of Music

We remember Smetana and Dvořák as two of the best-known Czech composers today – probably because of Dvořák’s New World Symphony and Smetana’s My Fatherland. But we know much less of Dvořák and Smetana as we do other composers of the day. Today, through “live” conversations between the two composers, and possibly with the audience, we will be able to find out more about these men behind the music, especially of Dvořák, whose New World Symphony will be analysed as well as performed.

We let the composers introduce and speak for themselves about their lives and work… and let you into their world. “Which train did you take to come to this concert? I want to know the model number.” This could be how a typical conversation with Dvořák started, especially with his students. Now who would have guessed that Dvořák was a train fanatic!

Come and find out more about the composers and enjoy a concert with activities and information!

===================
Post-concert activity
Create your own letterpress printed souvenir card !

Receive a complimentary souvenir card designed by HKS Artist Associate ditto ditto and explore the letterpress printing technique

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

One of Hong Kong’s flagship orchestras, Hong Kong Sinfonietta has brought music closer to the community, and achieved significant local and international recognition for its passionate performances and innovative programming. The orchestra has collaborated with an illustrious array of international musicians and groups, including in recent years Ilya Gringolts, Martin Helmchen, Sergei Nakariakov, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Krzysztof Penderecki, The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch.

Hong Kong Sinfonietta is a regular guest at international arts festivals and has toured 46 cities around the world. As an avid believer of keeping music alive and contemporary, the orchestra commissions and performs new works every year and ventures into new initiatives, recently receiving wide acclaim for its Back On Stage concert film series and becoming the first local orchestra to appear in cinemas. Following the success of the first edition in 2018, the orchestra organised the 2nd Hong Kong International Conducting Competition in 2023, attracting applications from 45 countries/regions around the world and providing an invaluable platform for young conductors to establish their careers.