HKU MUSE 2019-20 Season Brochure

N amed after the Greek goddesses of the

arts, HKU MUSE (My University Spotlight Encounters) is committed to creating firstclass arts and culture experiences for all, and has presented over 200 concerts and learning events to more than 90,000 people since 2013. Join us and BE A MUSE today!

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www.muse.hku.hk

Edward Dusinberre violin

21&SEP222019

Geraldine Walther viola

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU TICKETS at URBTIX | $250 single concert | $400 both concerts www.urbtix.hk

András Fejér cello

© Amanda Tipton

Harumi Rhodes violin

Takács' Bartók:

The Complete String Quartets 塔克斯四重奏之巴爾托克全集

"It communicates Bartók's all-embracing humanity, and if the greatest string quartets after Beethoven are still unknown to you, then this new set may well prove the musical journey of a lifetime."

– Gramophone

The six string quartets by Béla Bartók open a window to the changing stylistic landscape of the composer's life as a modernist and nationalist artist. Weaving together elements from European classical music and Eastern European folk dance, the set is regarded as one of the most important contributions to the genre since Beethoven's first entry a century earlier.

The Takács Quartet, with its Hungarian heritage, has a close affinity with Bartók's quartets. The Quartet has performed the cycle in music capitals throughout the world, where the group is continually hailed for its fresh interpretations. Join us for the complete performance of these works with one of their greatest interpreters – this is a rare opportunity, if not a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should not be missed!

Takács' Bartók I

Takács' Bartók II

塔克斯四重奏之巴爾托克全集 I 21 SEP 2019 | SAT | 8PM

塔克斯四重奏之巴爾托克全集 II 22 SEP 2019 | SUN | 3PM

String Quartets Nos. 1, 3, 5

String Quartets Nos. 2, 4, 6

Music in Words with the Takács 樂語融融：與塔克斯四重奏對話 20 SEP | FRI | 7PM | In English Rehearsal Room, LG1/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU Moderator: Prof. Chan Hing-yan Department of Music, HKU FREE via online registration

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Vitor Fernandes

clarinet

Dmitry Shishkin piano

11OCT 2019 FRI | 8PM

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU TICKETS at www.art-mate.net | $100 HKU students $50

Geneva Laureates 日內瓦新星 Since 1939, the Geneva International Music Competition has been a platform for establishing the

Programme

reputation of aspiring classical music artists. The competition has brought attention to some of the most successful musicians of our times, including Martha Argerich, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Friedrich Gulda, Heinz Holliger, Emmanuel Pahud, Maurizio Pollini, Georg Solti, José van Dam, Christian Zacharias, and many more.

WIDMANN Fantasie for Solo Clarinet

This season, we are delighted to welcome clarinettist Vitor Fernandes and pianist Dmitry Shishkin, two prizewinners of the Geneva Competition 2018. The programme includes works by Brahms, Chopin, Kovács, Liszt, and Widmann.

Supported by

BRAHMS

Clarinet Sonata in E-flat major, Op. 120, No. 2

KOVÁCS

After you, Mr. Gershwin

CHOPIN

Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53

CHOPIN

Nocturne in B major, Op. 9, No. 3

LISZT

Mephisto Waltz No. 1, S. 514

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19 OCT 2019 S AT | 8 P M

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU TICKETS at www.art-mate.net | $20 (admin fee)

Listening Between the Lines Series V 「音樂與文學對話」系列 V

Musical Pushkin 樂讀普希金

（In Putonghua 普通話主講）

Grace Lin soprano 林慈音 女高音

Julian Lo bass 羅俊穎 男低音

I-Ching Li violin 李宜錦 小提琴

Vera Hui-Pin Hsu piano 許惠品 鋼琴

A lexander Pushkin is considered by many to be 「從 普希金起，才開始有了俄羅斯文學。」如此褒 the founder of modern Russian literature. With extraordinary imagination and talent, Pushkin penned countless poems, dramas, and novels that have continued to inspire generations of readers, writers, and composers.

Divided into three sections, this lecture-recital will feature art songs, opera excerpts, and other musical works inspired by Pushkin's poems, theatre works, and other writings. It will take us on a journey through some epic political drama, melancholic love stories, and eerie fantasies. Join us on this one-of-akind musical tour of Russian literature!

Yuan-Pu Chiao speaker 焦元溥 主講

Co-presented with

揚並非讚譽，而是事實。這位俄國大文豪不只廣泛 吸取民間語言的精華，更融會浪漫主義與寫實的筆 法，將書寫與口語完美結合，全面展現俄文的靈動 美好。普希金寫下的不朽詩歌、戲劇與小說，更成 為許多作曲家的靈感泉源。這場講座音樂會分成三 部分，依次介紹以普希金詩作譜寫的藝術歌曲，由 普希金劇作所改成的歌劇，以及根據普希金作品改 編成的音樂作品。內容涵括政治史詩大戲、男女情 愛糾葛與奇幻寓言故事，歡迎大家一起以音樂欣賞 普希金，體會俄羅斯文學特有的色彩面貌。

Supported by

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SUN | 3PM

© Kaupo Kikkas

10 NOV 2019

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU TICKETS at URBTIX | $350, 250, 150 www.urbtix.hk

Sonata and Variations:

Paul Lewis in Recital 奏鳴與變奏：李維斯鋼琴獨奏會 P aul Lewis' performances have been described as "exquisite", "extraordinary", and "masterly" (The Independent). Having won three Gramophone awards, Lewis' recordings of works by Beethoven and Schubert have received international acclaim, reaffirming his reputation as one of the greatest interpreters of the classical repertoire.

In this Hong Kong recital, Paul Lewis will present two significant piano works, both written during the composers' final years. Schubert's Piano Sonata in G major, praised by Schumann as the "most perfect in form and conception", is the last one published for the genre in Schubert's lifetime. Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, the last piano work to be completed by the composer, is full of invention and humour, and is regarded as one of the greatest sets of keyboard variations ever written.

Programme SCHUBERT

Piano Sonata in G major, D. 894

BEETHOVEN 33 Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli in C major, Op. 120

Music in Words with Paul Lewis 樂語融融：與李維斯對話 9 NOV | SAT | 6PM | In English Rehearsal Room, LG1/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU Moderator: Prof. Daniel Chua Department of Music, HKU FREE via online registration

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7 DEC 2019 S AT | 8 P M

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU TICKETS at www.art-mate.net | $100 HKU students $50

Messiah Sing-Along 2017 & 2018

Messiah Sing-Along 2019 眾聲齊頌《彌賽亞》2019 Alison Lau soprano

Samantha Chong mezzo-soprano

Caleb Woo bass

Sanders Lau conductor

Every December for the past two years, we have anticipated the arrival of Christmas with a festive Messiah sing-along concert, concluding the end of semester with Handel's uplifting all-time favourite masterpiece.

Featuring Hong Kong's most sought-after soloists, Alison Lau, Samantha Chong, Justin Li, and Caleb Woo, with Die Konzertisten and a chamber ensemble under Sanders Lau's baton, we invite you to harmonise with those on stage. Whether you are new to this repertoire or a devoted choir member, come and join us again in this joyful celebration and sing-along!

Programme HANDEL

Supported by

Justin Li tenor with Die

Konzertisten and HKU Chamber Singers

Selections from Messiah, HWV 56

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︽繆 諸思 文 神集 的 現 Our first book 黃 已 In Time with the Late Style 上昏 is available in bookstores now! 架 ！︾ 作者：李歐梵、邵頌雄

馬勒曾言：「我知道若我能以文字表達一種經驗，我不會嘗試代之以音樂。」 偉大音樂作品所能表達的，往往是文字以外的深刻情感。《諸神的黃昏》為香港大學繆 思樂季（HKU MUSE）首次策劃的音樂文集，當中李歐梵教授和邵頌雄教授透過文字對話 的形式，從哲學、宗教、文學、政治、美學等不同角度，將「晚期風格」作一個反思， 分析各作曲家和演藝家在晚期所呈現的氣質和風格，為讀者呈獻一札引領他們親自體會 音樂融通境界的導賞。 誠品及各大書店有售

Support HKU MUSE You can help us bring more impact, more joy, and more inspiration to the students and the community!

HKU MUSE strives to inspire a life-long passion for the arts. We work hard to raise funds so that we can continue to curate innovative programmes and learning events on campus and beyond. Music lovers like you are our greatest supporters – please don’t hesitate to share your generosity!

Every dollar counts, and the best time to give is NOW. Your donation will be eligible for a 2-1 matching (i.e. $1 matching for every $2 donated), under the current Government Matching Grant Scheme.

Your support makes all the difference – it will allow us to bring the best artistic experience to you and make a real impact as a leading centre of cultural activities.

Thank you!

15 DEC 2019 SUN | 3PM

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU FREE via online registration

| www.muse.hku.hk

Andrew Ling violin / viola

Nancy Loo piano

Kitty Cheung violin

Liu Fangxi violin

Kaori Wilson viola

Richard Bamping cello

Mostly Brahms III 布拉姆斯講座音樂會之三 （In Cantonese 廣東話主講）

In the third and final 'Mostly Brahms' lecture-recital, we will take a closer look at two major late chamber works: Brahms' Clarinet Quintet in B minor and Schubert's Piano Trio in E-flat major.

Andrew Ling and Nancy Loo will share the stage with friends to perform these works while highlighting the stylistic convergence and divergence between Brahms and Schubert.

Programme BRAHMS

Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115

SCHUBERT Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 100, D. 929

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Alexei Volodin piano

14-16 FEB 2020

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU Ticketing details to be announced

Š Marco Borggreve

Š Felix Gruenschloss

Konstantin Lifschitz piano

Russian Moments 俄羅斯時刻 A fter the impact of his phenomenal performances of Bach's Art of Fugue and the complete cycle of Beethoven's 32 piano sonatas at HKU, Konstantin Lifschitz returns in February with fellow Russian pianist Alexei Volodin.

Appointed as HKU University Artists, the two pianists will pay tribute to five Russian composers in a series of four concerts. Listeners will hear some of the finest and most virtuosic Russian piano works, ranging from Medtner's 12 mercurial Fairy Tales to the violence of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring.

Music in Words with Lifschitz and Volodin 樂語融融：與列夫席茲及霍羅丁對話 13 FEB | THU | 7:15PM | In English

1 4 F E B Alexei Volodin in Recital F R I | 8 P M

霍羅丁鋼琴獨奏會 MEDTNER 12 Fairy Tales RACHMANINOV Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 28

1 5 F E B Konstantin Lifschitz in Recital S AT | 8 P M

列夫席茲鋼琴獨奏會 MEDTNER RACHMANINOV PROKOFIEV SHOSTAKOVICH

Sonata-Ballada, Op. 27 Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42 3 Pieces for Piano in C major, Op. 59 Piano Sonata No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61

1 6 F E B Konstantin Lifschitz and Alexei Volodin SUN | 3:30PM

列夫席茲與霍羅丁 RACHMANINOV 24 Preludes (with two alternating pianos)

Rehearsal Room, LG1/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU FREE via online registration

1 6 F E B Konstantin Lifschitz and Alexei Volodin SUN | 8PM

In collaboration with

列夫席茲與霍羅丁 MEDTNER Two Pieces, Op. 58 RACHMANINOV Suite No. 2 for Two Pianos, Op. 17 STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring

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21 MAR 2020 S AT | 8 P M

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU Ticketing details to be announced

© Hans Morren

Christoph Prégardien tenor

Of Love and Beloved:

Christoph Prégardien & Roger Vignoles 愛的禮讚：皮雷格迪恩及威格諾斯 R equited love, or the absence of it, remains a

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dominant muse for composers. Come and hear a per formance by celebrated tenor Christoph Prégardien, accompanied by Roger Vignoles, of three song cycles of love, loss, and yearning.

Beethoven expresses regret and acceptance in his song cycle An die ferne Geliebte. Schuber t laments rejected love in the yearning melodies of his Rellstab-Lieder from Schwanengesang. And in Dichterliebe, Schumann depicts a story of love and betrayal set to Heinrich Heine's poems.

BEETHOVEN An die ferne Geliebte SCHUBERT

Rellstab-Lieder from Schwanengesang

SCHUMANN Dichterliebe

Music in Words with Prégardien & Vignoles

© Ben Ealovega

樂語融融：與皮雷格迪恩及威格諾斯對話 20 MAR | FRI | 7:15PM | In English

Supported by

Roger Vignoles piano

Rehearsal Room, LG1/F, Run Run Shaw Tower, HKU Moderator: Prof. Giorgio Biancorosso Department of Music, HKU FREE via online registration

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Isabelle Faust violin

3-5 APR 2020

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU Ticketing details to be announced

© Julien Mignot

© Felix Broede

Alexander Melnikov piano

Isabelle Faust and Alexander Melnikov:

Beethoven's Complete Sonatas for Violin and Piano 佛斯特與梅尼可夫的貝多芬小提琴奏鳴曲全集 "Faust and Melnikov seemed to perform with one nervous system, and their ability to manipulate these infinitesimal silences elevated their performance from great to exquisite."

- The Boston Globe

Paganini Competition winner Isabelle Faust returns to Hong Kong with pianist Alexander Melnikov to unveil

3 APR | F R I | 8PM

the interlacing harmonic patterns in Beethoven's 10 sonatas for violin and piano. Presented in three concerts, these lifetime musical testimonies offer the audience a glance through all the ups and downs in Beethoven's life since he established fame at the young age of 27.

4 APR | SAT | 8PM

As part of HKU MUSE's Beethoven Vision—2020 Celebration, the complete cycle by Faust and Melnikov, described by the BBC Music Magazine as "the most stimulating and fascinating accounts of the Beethoven violin sonatas in many years", is a musical experience not to be missed.

Sonatas Nos. 1, 2, 3, 9

Sonatas Nos. 6, 7, 8

5 APR | SUN | 3PM Sonatas Nos. 4, 5, 10

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Yuan-Pu Chiao speaker 焦元溥 主講

26 APR 2020

SUN | 3PM

Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre, HKU Ticketing details to be announced

Grace Lin soprano 林慈音 女高音

Yi-Chih Lu piano 盧易之 鋼琴

HKPhil Quartet 港樂四重奏

Jing Wang violin 王敬 小提琴

Zhao Yingna violin 趙瀅娜 小提琴

Andrew Ling viola 凌顯祐 中提琴

Richard Bamping cello 鮑力卓 大提琴

Listening Between the Lines Series VI 「音樂與文學對話」系列 VI

Beethoven in Words 字裏行間貝多芬

（In Putonghua 普通話主講）

Works of literature never fail to spark imagination, even influencing the works of musical genius Beethoven. In turn, his creations have become sources of inspiration for many writers, including Leo Tolstoy, E.M. Forster, Thomas Mann, and Milan Kundera. This lecture-recital will delve into the composer's creative relationship with literature. Join us as we ponder how and why "there will continue to be thousands more, but there is only one Beethoven."

Co-presented with

Supported by

文 字總能激發音樂想像，貝多芬也不例外。當他的創作成為經典，又成為其 他藝術家的靈感來源。這場講座音樂會將探討貝多芬與文學的關係，探索他如 何為戲劇譜曲，並解析作曲家與文學家如何引用貝多芬，探討托爾斯泰、福斯 特、托瑪斯．曼與昆德拉的小說技法，以及《克羅采奏鳴曲》、《霍華德莊園》、 《浮士德博士》與《生命中不能承受之輕》所呈現的貝多芬創作，看音樂與文學 如何互相對話，貝多芬為何是絕無僅有的貝多芬。

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Beethoven Vision—2020 celebrates the composer's 250th birthday. In 2020, join HKU MUSE in a carefully curated series that pays tribute to Beethoven's creative vision through a brilliant line-up of artists and programmes: • • • • •

Song Cycle: An die ferne Geliebte All 10 Violin Sonatas in 3 Concerts A Lecture-Recital on Beethoven x Literature Piano Trios: Archduke and Ghost A Public Lecture in Collaboration with Yale University and…

• The Complete String Quartet Cycle in 6 Concerts!

Join us in this year-long exploration that has never been seen before in Hong Kong!

Mark your calendar:

21 MAR 2020

Christoph PrĂŠgardien tenor Roger Vignoles piano

17 OCT 2020

Oliver Schnyder Trio

3-5 APR 2020

Isabelle Faust violin Alexander Melnikov piano

26 APR 2020

11 NOV 2020

12-15 NOV 2020

Prof. James Hepokoski speaker

Yuan-Pu Chiao speaker

Belcea Quartet

Plus more to be announced soon!