Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: The Art of Rejuvenation

Bach to Britten: traditions revived

Echoing Tai Kwun’s revitalization as a mix of colonial and contemporary architecture, the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) breathes new life into classic chamber works in its Hong Kong concerts. English composers Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten promoted their predecessors’ music and rejuvenated lesser-known techniques and folksong forms. As highlight pieces, concertos by C.P.E. Bach and J.S. Bach will feature as soloists Musicus Artistic Director and cellist Trey Lee, with whom the ECO collaborated on his forthcoming new album Seasons Interrupted, and rising star violinist Aaron Chan.

The acclaimed ECO is the most recorded chamber orchestra in the world and has been constantly in demand over the years, performing on Oscar-winning film soundtracks and at numerous royal events. Tai Kwun is a fitting concert venue for the ECO to play Benjamin Britten’s music, given that he himself oversaw a similar revival project of converting a former Victorian malt house into a concert hall.

For The Art of Rejuvenation, Musicus has invited Hong Kong new media artist Phoebe Hui to create a new artwork. She has upcycled stepper motors from everyday devices, and transformed musical inputs into visual representations that celebrate the intersection of the old and the new.

Join us for an impressive program that brings together music that has stood the test of time and innovative art.

Jockey Club Musicus Heritage Stories: The Art of Rejuvenation

1. Ensemble Concert

Date & Time: 17 May 2024 (Fri), 8pm

Programme:

Holst  St. Paul’s Suite, Op. 29, No. 2

Elgar  Serenade for Strings in E minor, Op. 20

C.P.E.  Bach Cello Concerto in A, Wq. 172, H. 439 (Cello: Trey Lee)

2. Ensemble Concert

Date & Time: 18 May 2024 (Sat), 8pm

Programme:

Britten  Simple Symphony, Op. 4

J.S. Bach  Violin Concerto No. 2 in E, BWV 1042 (Violin: Aaron Chan*)

Grieg  Holberg Suite, Op. 40

Duration of each concert is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

Tickets (HK$320) are available at URBTIX

Artists

Trey Lee (Artistic Director/ Cello soloist)
English Chamber Orchestra
Aaron Chan* (Violin soloist)
Phoebe Hui (Interdisciplinary artist)

Free Events

In addition to the ticketed concert, the following free concerts will also be held at Tai Kwun JC Cube:

1. Free Chamber Concert

Date & Time: 18 May 2024 (Sat), 2pm

Programme:

Handel  Sinfonia in B-flat, HWV 339

Purcell (arr. Britten)  Chacony in G minor, Z. 730

Bridge  Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43

2. Free Chamber Concert

Date & Time: 19 May 2024 (Sun), 2:30pm

Programme:

Purcell  Selected Incidental Music from The Fairy Queen, Z. 629

Bridge  An Irish Melody Londonderry Air for String Quartet, H. 86

Bridge  Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43

3. Free Chamber Concert

Date & Time: 19 May 2024 (Sun), 4:30pm

Programme:

Handel  Sinfonia in B-flat, HWV 339

Purcell (arr. Britten)  Chacony in G minor, Z. 730

Bridge  Three Pieces for String Quartet, H. 43

Duration of each free concert is approximately 30 minutes, without intermission.

Advance registration is required, and free registration is available on the POPTICKET platform from 15 April 2024. A post-concert Heritage Guided Tour (in Cantonese) will be held after each performance. (Separate registration is required). Limited availability on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register link to be released.

Artists:

Trey Lee (Artistic Director/Cello)
John Mills^ (Violin)
Aaron Chan* (Violin)
Jeremy Hao* (Violin)
Annis Ma* (Viola)
Phoebe Hui (Interdisciplinary artist)
^Concertmaster of English Chamber Orchestra
*Members of Musicus Soloists Hong Kong

(Please refer to Musicus Society’s website for the artist list of each concert.)

The above content is provided by Musicus Society.

Musicus Society was founded by a group of music lovers in 2010 under the vision of renowned cellist Trey Lee, with a mission to promote cross-cultural collaboration of music internationally. Apart from the annual Musicus Fest, which provides a meeting point for artists from across the world, the Musicus Heritage Community Concert Series brings world-class artists to local heritage sites. Moreover, the Musicus Inspires! educational program aims to nurture aspiring young musicians in Hong Kong, as well as cultivate students from all social backgrounds. Directed and initiated by renowned cellist Trey Lee, Musicus Soloists Hong Kong (MSHK) comprises some of Hong Kong’s top next-generation artists who are based all over the world. They are focused on becoming a leading chamber ensemble representing Hong Kong internationally. Musicus Society is a registered charity and financially supported by the Art Development Matching Grants Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.