Christoph Eschenbach, a Stellar Lineup of Vocalists
and Prague Philharmonic Choir Join Hands with HK Phil
to Present Dvořák’s Choral Masterpieces This November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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[25 October 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (“HK Phil”) launches its new flagship education initiative, Jockey Club TUTTI Programme, in the 2024/25 season. Exclusively sponsored by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, this three-year initiative aspires to nurture local music talents through engagement with both international and local artists. The inaugural concert of the Jockey Club Masters Series “Christoph Eschenbach | Dvořák Stabat Mater”, under the Jockey Club TUTTI Programme, will be held on 8 November 2024, featuring world-renowned maestro Christoph Eschenbach. The Prague Philharmonic Choir will join this concert and the following evening at “Choral Festival | Dvořák & the American Spiritual” on 9 November 2024. Tickets are now available on URBTIX.

Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Christoph Eschenbach | Dvořák Stabat Mater (8 November)

Led by Christoph Eschenbach, the concert will open with the Hong Kong premiere of Turkish composer Fazıl Say's Second Violin Concerto, a work inspired by his contemplative walks during the pandemic lockdown. Say recalls that, “During lockdown, I always went for a walk on the empty beach very early in the morning. Each sunrise had its own colour, texture and atmosphere which subsequently flowed into the composition.” This dynamic work seamlessly blending virtuosity with folk elements premiered in 2022 by Eschenbach alongside violinist Friedemann Eichhorn, who will make his HK Phil debut in this concert.

In commemoration of the 120^th anniversary of Dvořák's passing, Eschenbach will conduct his monumental Stabat Mater. Born from personal tragedy, this poignant piece vividly portrays the Virgin Mary's sorrow at the cross, offering a profound meditation on suffering and redemption. A stellar cast of international vocalists – Aleksandra Zamojska, Sarah Romberger, Peter Sonn and Shenyang – will join the Prague Philharmonic Choir to perform this moving choral masterpiece.

Besides concerts, a series of education programmes and outreach activities will take place during the “Jockey Club Masters Series” concert week, including an interactive workshop (6 November), an open rehearsal (7 November), “Share the Stage with Maestro Christoph Eschenbach – Public Working Session & Conducting Masterclass”, as well as the “Artist Talk by Maestro Christoph Eschenbach” (both on 9 November). All events are free of charge. For details, please visit www.hkphil.org/tutti.

“Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series: Christoph Eschenbach | Dvořák Stabat Mater” will be held on 8 November 2024 (Fri) at 8PM at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$520, $420, $320, $220 and $50 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

Programme Exclusive Sponsor: The Hong Kong Jockey Trust Charities Trust

Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Choral Festival | Dvořák & the American Spiritual (9 November)

The HK Phil presents a unique choral concert featuring the renowned Prague Philharmonic Choir, led by Principal Choirmaster and Conductor Lukáš Vasilek, with Jan Dušek on piano.

The programme explores the profound connection between Dvořák's Czech-inspired music and African-American spirituals, weaving together a rich tapestry of emotionally charged melodies. The evening will also include spoken commentary and dramaturgy by David Beveridge.

Under the guidance of the renowned choirmaster, the Share the Stage Young Choristers, made up of more than 100 talented students from the community, will have the extraordinary opportunity to perform alongside the Prague Philharmonic Choir and the HK Phil Chorus, totalling over 200 chorus members in this exceptional Choral Festival.

“Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series: Choral Festival | Dvořák & the American Spiritual” will be held on 9 November (Sat) at 8:30PM at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets priced at HK$320 and $220 are available at URBTIX. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

Programme Exclusive Sponsor: The Hong Kong Jockey Trust Charities Trust

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Artists

Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Christoph Eschenbach | Dvořák Stabat Mater

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor [full description]

There have been repeated attempts to describe the phenomenon that is Christoph Eschenbach: Active worldwide as a conductor and pianist, famous for the breadth of his repertoire and the depth of his interpretations, tireless as a promoter of young musical talent, recipient of the highest musical honours. From 2010-2017, Eschenbach led the Washington National Symphony Orchestra. In the 2019/20 to 2022/23 seasons, he was Chief Conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin. From September 2024, he has been Artistic Director of the NFM Philharmonic Orchestra in Wrocław.

Friedemann Eichhorn, violin [full description]

One of the most versatile German artists of his generation Friedemann Eichhorn collaborates with many leading orchestras such as the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the symphony orchestras of Munich and Hamburg, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia di Roma, St Petersburg Philharmonic, Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie, and many others. He has performed under the baton of Christoph Eschenbach, Sir Antonio Pappano and the late Yehudi Menuhin. A longtime recording artist for Naxos and Hänssler classic, Friedemann Eichhorn has recorded a wide solo and chamber music repertoire on more than 30 CDs.

Aleksandra Zamojska, soprano [full description]

Aleksandra Zamojska was born in Kielce, Poland. She studied Classical Solo Singing at the Department of Vocal Arts and Drama at the Academy of Music in Krakow under Prof Christian Elsner and Zdzislawa Donat. During her studies, she worked as a soloist at the Warsaw Chamber Opera. She then continued her vocal studies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Lilian Sukis and Breda Zakotnik. From 2001 to 2002, Aleksandra Zamojska made her debut at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute.

Sarah Romberger, mezzo-soprano [full description]

The young mezzo-soprano, Sarah Romberger is repeatedly described as a “discovery” and “rising star” in the press. Her impressive vocal range and ability shines both as a soloist in oratorios but also as a lyric/coloratura mezzo in opera. With the combination of her warm timbre that is powerful in the lower range, to the clear brilliance of the mezzo register, Romberger enjoys performing a wide-range of repertoire. In 2020, she made her debut at the Vorarlberg Theater in Bregenz as Annio in Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito. The 2024/25 season takes Sarah Romberger on several concert tours including Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in Hong Kong, Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony in Warsaw.

Peter Sonn, tenor [full description]

Born and raised in Salzburg, and a graduate of the Mozarteum, Peter Sonn made his operatic breakthrough at the Salzburg Festival while still a student. The Austrian tenor, with his warm voice and lyric timbre is making his way into the ranks of the first class singers of the opera world and sings the major roles of his repertoire from Berlin to Milan, Zurich, and Vienna at the foremost international opera houses. Coming from the classical Mozart roles of Tamino, Ferrando or Don Ottavio this tenor is branching these last seasons with ease into the romantic roles of Lohengrin, Siegmund, Bacchus, Prince Igor, Max, Hoffmann and Don Jose.

Shenyang, bass-baritone [full description]

Shenyang came to swift international attention as the winner of the 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition with numerous impressive debuts to follow. While his early career focused principally on Rossini, Mozart and Handel roles, recent seasons have brought a range of acclaimed debuts in the dramatic bass-baritone repertoire including Don Pizarro (Fidelio) with both Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under Gus-tavo Dudamel and Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich under Paavo Järvi and Jochanaan (Salome) with Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Alexander Liebreich.

The Prague Philharmonic Choir [full description]

The Prague Philharmonic Choir (PPC) was founded in 1935 by choirmaster and teacher Jan Kühn. Now in its 90^th season, it is the oldest professional choir in the Czech Republic. The Choir is celebrated too beyond the Czech borders, especially for its interpretations or oratorios and cantatas. Lukáš Vasilek became Principal Conductor and Artistic Director in 2007, and he is joined by Lukáš Kozubík as the PCC’s second main Choirmaster. Under Lukáš Vasilek, the choir has built its reputation as a highly respected performing partner of leading international orchestras.

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Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Choral Festival | Dvořák & the American Spiritual

Lukáš Vasilek, conductor [full description]

This season marks Lukáš Vasilek’s 17^th as the Prague Philharmonic Choir (PPC)’s Principal Conductor and Artistic Director. Whether exploring acapella repertoire or larger cantatas and oratorios with instruments, Vasilek brings his innate knowledge and understanding of choral music to everything he does. Together with the PPC, he regularly collaborates with leading Czech and international orchestras and conductors. Vasilek has won particular recognition with the PPC for their outstanding interpretations of the greatest choral works by Mahler, Dvořák and Janáček. Highlights include Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater.

Jan Dušek, piano [full description]

Jan Dušek studied at the Conservatory in Teplice (piano, composition). In 2004-2012, he studied composition at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (doc Hanus Barton), where he finished his doctoral studies in the same field in 2012. Since then, Dušek has taught at the composition department of the Academy. As a pianist he participated in several master courses, in 2013/14 he studied privately piano with Robert Lehrbaumer in Vienna, in 2015 with Xiao-Mei Zhu in Paris, and since 2016 with Gordon Fergus-Thompson in London. He won awards and honourable mentions in competitions.

David Beveridge, spoken commentary / dramaturgy [full description]

David R. Beveridge is an American music scholar living in Czechia and currently working on a comprehensive study of Dvořák's life and works. A native of Ohio, earned his Ph.D. in music history and literature at the University of California in Berkeley and taught at various American colleges and universities before settling permanently in Czechia in 1993. Since that time he has been serving on a freelance basis as a translator from Czech to English and as a musicologist working over the long term on the most comprehensive-ever treatment of the life and work of Antonín Dvořák.

The Prague Philharmonic Choir [full description]

The Prague Philharmonic Choir (PPC) was founded in 1935 by choirmaster and teacher Jan Kühn. Now in its 90^th season, it is the oldest professional choir in the Czech Republic. The Choir is celebrated too beyond the Czech borders, especially for its interpretations or oratorios and cantatas. Lukáš Vasilek became Principal Conductor and Artistic Director in 2007, and he is joined by Lukáš Kozubík as the PCC’s second main Choirmaster. Under Lukáš Vasilek, the choir has built its reputation as a highly respected performing partner of leading international orchestras.

Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus [full description]

Established in 1980, the HK Phil Chorus has collaborated with the HK Phil to perform a range of works over the years. In 2013, the Chorus undertook a new recruitment drive, and over 450 singers were attracted to attend the auditions. The first performance by the newly reformed Chorus was Handel’s Messiah. Since then, the Chorus has performed with the HK Phil in major works by composers including Britten, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Haydn and Mahler under renowned conductors Lorin Maazel, Jaap van Zweden and Nicholas McGegan. The Chorus’ Fellowship programme was inaugurated during the 2020/21 Season, setting the stage for aspiring professional singers to join this distinguished ensemble.

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Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Christoph Eschenbach | Dvořák Stabat Mater

8 | 11 | 2024 FRI 8PM Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$520 $420 $320 $220 $50

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme

Jockey Club TUTTI Programme – Jockey Club Masters Series:

Choral Festival | Dvořák & the American Spiritual

9 | 11 | 2024 SAT 8:30 PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

$320 $220

Tickets now available at URBTIX For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme