What’s more exciting than finally getting a round of applause that has been muted for two years? German pianist Alexander Krichel, who starred in Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s concert film Back On Stage II (Quarantined!) in 2020, will return to Hong Kong and eventually perform in front of a live audience!

A long-awaited line-up of events includes two concerts at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, where he will play Beethoven’s timeless Emperor Concerto under the baton of Music Director Emeritus Yip Wing-sie on 20 November, while joining cellist Maximilian Hornung for a duo recital on 15 November.

Born in Hamburg in 1989, Alexander Krichel is known as one of the most promising and thoughtful voices amongst today’s young pianists. He has made appearances with various leading orchestras, such as Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Bamberger Symphoniker, Dresden Philharmonic, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, etc. He is also a critically acclaimed recording artist, who won the “Newcomer of the Year” ECHO Klassik award in 2013.

German Pianist Alexander Krichel

We had the opportunity to exchange with Krichel as he reflected on his concert film and shared about his upcoming collaborations with Hong Kong Sinfonietta.

“It is very exciting to come back to Hong Kong and finally play for a real audience!” Krichel expressed. Recording Back On Stage II (Quarantined!) in the midst of the pandemic, Krichel would have never dreamed of it to be so successful. “The film was very successful and has reached many people that eventually became fans. And it was so heart-warming to see how many people have followed and supported my video diary I streamed live on YouTube and Facebook from my quarantine.”

Despite the challenging quarantine, Krichel had a wonderful time performing with Hong Kong Sinfonietta and credited the success of the film to all musicians and the management who put in so much energy, work and loving dedication. To all his supportive fans, the good news is that he will be meeting and greeting you all in person during the film screenings this time!

Back On Stage II (Quarantined!)

Speaking about his upcoming recital, Krichel confessed that “Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto has been with me for my entire life. This beautiful piece of music was my grandfather’s favourite piano concerto and I still remember listening to it with him before his early passing.” Indeed, he has been playing this meaningful piece since his debut at the Golden Hall of Vienna Musikverein. “It is a concerto that on one hand vibrates majestic strength, but also on the other hand shows a lot of human reality and deeply felt vulnerability. It is the way how Beethoven naturally connects these opposites that fascinate me every time I play the Emperor,” he added. What a heartfelt performance it will be for us to enjoy it live here in Hong Kong!

Krichel will also be playing a duo recital with cellist Maximilian Hornung on 15 November. These two German musicians know each other for a while but never have the chance to perform together. But this time, we are lucky enough to enjoy the premiere of their duo recital, where they will present timeless works of chamber music by Beethoven and Brahms.

“One nice thing about music and art – and life in general! – is that it functions best if you trust its energy and let go, so it can naturally take you where it wants you to be,” shared Krichel when looking ahead. “The music I am making is an integral part and consequence of these experiences, and will be most authentic if I do not decide too much ahead but much rather play what feels right in the moment.”

In this visit, instead of experiencing Hong Kong from the hotel window, what Krichel anticipates exploring most is the real Hong Kong vibe and energy. “It is very likely I am also going to visit some museums but the decision of what I am going to do, when I am going to do it, and how I am going to do it, will come naturally in the moment. And I am very much looking forward to it!”

Seize the opportunity to enjoy these much-anticipated concerts. All details can be found here: Great Piano Concertos: Alexander Krichel plays Beethoven “Emperor”, Duo Recital by Maximilian Hornung & Alexander Krichel, and movie screenings: MOViE MOViE Life is Art 2022: Back On Stage II (Quarantined!)