An exotic sound tapestry and a renewal of Piazzolla’s Four Seasons
Ever on the path to new forms of cross-cultural collaboration, Musicus Fest 2018 kicks off with an inimitable program featuring an unprecedented mélange of sounds from three phenomenal string virtuosos: Artistic Director and world-renowned cellist Trey Lee will share the stage with nyckelharpa world champion Emilia Amper and Hong Kong’s premier jazz guitarist Eugene Pao in a kaleidoscopic program, weaving the threads of ethnic, classical and contemporary into an exuberant tapestry of sounds.

The thousand-year-old nyckelharpa makes a rare appearance in Hong Kong in a makeover of classic Nordic folk tunes in the Abrégé suite. Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires is reinvented for cello and electric guitar with orchestra, in a pristine arrangement penned by Trey Lee. Hailing from Norway, the Trondheim Soloists lends its refined ‘Trondheim sound’ to the romantic Legende by compatriot Fartein Valen and the charming Serenade for Strings by Dvořák.

Explore the Venetian Carnival in a new fantasia of music, dance and drama
Riding on the resounding success of last year’s Children’s Concert, director and commedia dell’arte specialist Ursula Volkmann returns with a brand new instalment of Marco Polo’s adventure at the Carnival of Venice!

Exploring the ancient Italian traditions behind the fancy masks and dazzling spectacles, this fun-filled concert presents an original mix of drama, dance and a fine selection of Chinese and Western music. The fantastic international cast from Germany, Italy, Taiwan and Hong Kong promises yet another side-splitting and action-packed journey for the young and the young at heart.

Starring as Marco Polo, celebrity actress Corinna Cheng will be joined by the rambunctious characters of Pulcinella and Arlecchino, and of course, the colorfully-attired Carnival-goers too! Fetch yourself a fancy mask with an eye-catching costume to match and get ready for a jolly good time at this extraordinary party!!

A spectacular Norwegian fête by trailblazing ensemble and stars
The grand finale of Musicus Fest 2018 gives Hong Kong audience an occasion to celebrate all things Norwegian: from its leading chamber orchestra, to music by Edvard Grieg, and even the fiftieth golden wedding anniversary of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway.

Ten-time Grammy nominee and multiple Norwegian Grammy winner Trondheim Soloists is one of the most exciting ensembles performing on the international stage. Known for their pure, refined sound, the ensemble adds an authentic touch to Two Melodies for String Orchestra by Grieg, whose name is practically synonymous with Norwegian music. Distinguished violinist Dong-Suk Kang and homegrown violist Born Lau, who is the newly appointed Principal Violist of the Shanghai Symphony, will take center stage in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante. The delightful Wedding Cake waltz-caprice by Saint-Saens will also be served. To cap off this memorable occasion, the Trondheim Soloists will be joined by local young talents, paying homage to Norwegian traditions in Grieg’s Holberg Suite.

This year’s Master Classes are conducted by Dong-Suk Kang, renowned South Korean violinist and Vladimir Mendelssohn, Artistic Director of Kuhmo Chamber Music festival. These Master Classes are open to the public, giving aspiring young musicians and music lovers the opportunity to gain musical insights from seasons world-class performers.

Distinguished Artistic Directors from around the world and international award winners
Assembling some of the finest chamber music artists from around the world, this year’s Chamber Music Gala features esteemed artistic directors from prestigious music festivals as well as prize-winning local artists in a spectacular program. Artistic Director Trey Lee joins recurring and new Festival artists, including esteemed violist Vladimir Mendelssohn, cellist Alexander Hülshoff, as well as other local talents in Beethoven’s seminal Piano Quartet and Mendelssohn’s brilliantly scored Octet. Award-winning pianists Colleen Lee and Cheong Hoi-leong collaborate for the first time in Ravel’s Ma Mere L’Oyre. Burgeoning 14-year-old violinist, Wong Pui-ying, appears alongside distinguished violinist Dong-Suk Kang in Sarasate’s exhilarating showpiece, Navarra. The concert also features Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no.3, an example of some of the most ingenious string writing in the history of chamber music.

This year’s Master Classes are conducted by Dong-Suk Kang, renowned South Korean violinist and Vladimir Mendelssohn, Artistic Director of Kuhmo Chamber Music festival. These Master Classes are open to the public, giving aspiring young musicians and music lovers the opportunity to gain musical insights from seasons world-class performers.