Pure Sibelius

“While others mix cocktails of various colours, I offer only the purest spring water.” In contrast to Mahler’s all-embracing symphonic ideal, Sibelius’s symphonies are a distillation of musical thoughts. After bringing us the first five symphonies, David Atherton arrives at the sun-dappled and pastoral Sixth and is joined by young German violinist Viviane Hagner, returning to Hong Kong with Sibelius’s impassioned and virtuosic Violin Concerto.

In 2007/08 the Hong Kong Philharmonic continues to present a series of free talks from 7:15pm to 7:45pm prior to every concert in the Swire Maestro Series. A great way to get to know more about the musical masterworks in each concert, “Classic Insights” will involve leading experts and musicians offering fascinating insights into the composers’ lives, eras and creations. These events will take place in the level 4 foyer of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Auditoria Building. Talks on Friday evenings will be conducted in English and those on Saturday evenings will be in Cantonese.

Viviane Hagner will appear in the autograph sessions after concert on both nights.