HK Phil Triumphs in Europe with Four-Concert Tour Ahead of 2025/26 Season
10 SEP 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Dennis Wu
Director of Marketing
Tel: (852) 2721 9035
Email: dennis.wu@hkphil.org
Emily Hui
Media Relations and Communications Manager
Tel: (852) 2721 1585
Email: emily.hui@hkphil.org
The best Beethoven interpretation came from Hong Kong. From the very beginning (of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 3), they (the HK Phil) threw themselves into their task with verve, did not leave it at an accompaniment, but always sought an intensive cooperation with the soloist (Rudolf Buchbinder).
--- Die Presse, Austria
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra thrilled the audience with conductor Jaap van Zweden and Rudolf Buchbinder at the piano…he (Jaap van Zweden) opted for a broad sound in the overture to Wagner's Tannhäuser. The timbres seemed like the multiple layers of an oil painting. Pianist Rudolf Buchbinder carefully showcased his skills in (Beethoven’s) Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, interacting harmoniously with the orchestra.
--- Kurier, Austria
In Ludwig van Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, the Hong Kongers throw a powerful punch. Van Zweden pulls the music from the earth with his bare hands. Where he once forged subtle phrasings at the beginning of the beloved Allegretto…The attacca (immediate) onset of the closing Allegro con brio is telling. Double basses rumble, a lone brass instrument goes off the rails in the final bars.
--- de Volkskrant, The Netherlands
(Daniel Lo’s Asterismal Dance) The slow and mysterious opening featured beautiful woodwind passages, after which the piece exploded into a restless, pulsating stream of energy, tonal, chromatic…The intriguing whole sounded crushing, hectic, and frenetic…the sparks flew.
(Rachmaninov’s Symphony no. 2) The dark melodies sang passionately and lushly, the brass section blended beautifully, the clarinet's "wordless love song" at the beginning of the Adagio sounded moving... The Second Symphony was convincing as a well-founded structure, built from solid materials under the unsparing eye of van Zweden as a strict architect.
--- De Nieuwe Muze, The Netherlands
[10 Sep 2025, Hong Kong] Following the outstanding success of its grand tour in Europe and Singapore in 2024, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) recently made a triumphant return to Europe with a four-concert tour ahead of the opening of its 2025/26 Season. Under the baton of Maestro Jaap van Zweden, the HK Phil marked impressive debuts in three cities, performing with acclaimed pianists the Jussen Brothers and Alexandre Kantorow at the prestigious Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 30-31 August, and with the legendary Rudolf Buchbinder at Kursaal in Merano on 2 September and the Auditorium in Grafenegg on 5 September. The latter two performances were part of the Südtirol Festival Merano and Grafenegg Festival 2025 respectively—two of the most important summer music festivals in Europe, featuring world-class orchestras and artists.
Three compelling programmes were presented, featuring masterpieces by Beethoven, Rachmaninov and Wagner, alongside In Unison, a concerto for two pianos by Dutch composer Joey Roukens. The HK Phil was very proud to showcase Hong Kong composer Daniel Lo with the Amsterdam premiere of his Asterismal Dance, which launched the tour in fine style. The closing night in Grafenegg brought the journey to a glorious culmination, leaving the audience enraptured and the musicians basking in the triumph of an unforgettable finale.
All of the concerts were met with immense enthusiasm as our full-house performances in Amsterdam received standing ovations. HK Phil Chief Executive, Mr Bernhard Fleischer, said, “This has been an incredible and historic journey for us, inspiring a whole new audience with our finest music-making, whilst showcasing our talented musicians during our first-ever performances at the Concertgebouw and at the two summer music festivals in Merano and Grafenegg. I am delighted that our performances received heartwarming responses from audiences across the three cities and glowing reviews from critics.”
The HK Phil would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Berlin and Brussels for their generous support.
As a cultural ambassador for Hong Kong, the HK Phil remains dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and showcasing the city’s artistic excellence locally, nationally, and internationally. In October 2025, HK Phil Resident Conductor Lio Kuokman will lead the orchestra on tour in Japan and Korea, teaming up with star pianists Kyohei Sorita and Yekwon Sunwoo respectively, and presenting a new work by Hong Kong composer Charles Kwong.