Internationally Acclaimed Conductors 
Michael Sanderling and Jukka-Pekka Saraste 
Make Debuts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra

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[5 April 2024, Hong Kong] The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) announces the Hong Kong debut of two internationally acclaimed conductors, Michael Sanderling and Jukka-Pekka Saraste, alongside soloists HK Phil Concertmaster Jing Wang, HK Phil Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon, and guest organist Christian Schmitt respectively, in a series of captivating concerts held in April. Tickets are available at URBTIX.

Michael Sanderling | Shostakovich Symphony no. 6 (12 April 2024)
Swire Denim Series: Michael Sanderling | Happy Hour with Mozart (13 April 2024)

Currently serving as Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, German guest conductor Michael Sanderling joins hands with HK Phil Principal Clarinet Andrew Simon to present Mozart’s swansong, the Clarinet Concerto. Once lauded as "one of the finest clarinet players” by Fanfare Magazine, Andrew Simon will take centre stage in this rustic piece, showcasing all the virtues and unique characteristics of the clarinet as integral to the music’s pattern itself. The programme commences with Mozart’s Don Giovanni Overture, another innovative opera that provides a taste of an unclassifiable blend of serious, tragic, comic, melodramatic, and even supernatural elements. The evening concludes with Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 6, an enigmatic piece brimming with complexity and surprising twists. Given Sanderling’s experience in recording Shostakovich’s complete symphonies, his interpretations are set to be profound.

On the following evening, Sanderling will also headline the “Michael Sanderling | Happy Hour with Mozart'' as part of the “Swire Denim Series”. In addition to Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Don Giovanni Overture, the audiences will be transported to the Romantic era with the HK Phil’s performance of Richard Strauss’ exhilarating Don Juan.

“Michael Sanderling | Shostakovich Symphony no. 6” will be held on 12 April 2024 (Fri) at 8PM. Tickets priced at HK$420, $340, $260, $180 and $50 are available at URBTIX. “Swire Denim Series: Michael Sanderling | Happy Hour with Mozart” will be held on 13 April 2024 (Sat) at 5PM. Tickets priced at HK$300, $200 and $50 are available at URBTIX. Both concerts will be held in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

“Swire Music for Everyone Series: Shostakovich Symphony no.6” will be held on 12 April 2024 (Fri) at 10AM in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The concert is free and tickets are available on a first come, first-served basis. For registration, please visit hkphil.org/event/swire-music-for-everyone-series-shostakovich-symphony-no-6.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste | Eroica Symphony (19 April 2024)
Swire Denim Series: Jukka-Pekka Saraste | Happy Hour with Beethoven (20 April 2024)

With his quiet insights and care taken to make the music “superbly shaped”, as praised by The Times, Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts Beethoven’s Eroica in his long-awaited HK Phil debut. German concert organist Christian Schmitt, one of the most internationally sought-after organists, joins the orchestra for a unique rendition of Bach’s famous D minor Toccata and Fugue, arranged by Stokowski, along with Samuel Barber’s seldom-performed Toccata Festiva, promising a mesmerising performance filled with virtuosity and intrigue. The evening’s highlight is Beethoven’s monumental Symphony no. 3, Eroica, where Saraste’s deep insights are poised to breathe new life into this timeless piece.

In the subsequent “Swire Denim Series” concert titled “Jukka-Pekka Saraste | Happy Hour with Beethoven”, the audiences will be immersed in the world of Beethoven through Saraste’s rendition of Eroica, along with the lyrical Second Romance featuring HK Phil Concertmaster Jing Wang. Christian Schmitt will once again grace the stage, demonstrating his talents in the performance of Toccata and Fugue.

“Jukka-Pekka Saraste | Eroica Symphony” will be held on 19 April 2024 (Fri) at 8PM. Tickets priced at HK$520, $420, $320 and $220 are available at URBTIX. “Swire Denim Series: Jukka-Pekka Saraste | Happy Hour with Beethoven” will be held on 20 April 2024 (Sat) at 5PM. Tickets priced at HK$520, $420, $320, $220 and $50 are available at URBTIX. Both concerts will be held in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. For enquiries, please call +852 2721 2332 or visit hkphil.org.

Artists

Michael Sanderling, conductor [full description]

Michael Sanderling has been chief conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra since the 2021/2022 season. The appointment follows many years of successful collaboration and with the common aim of further developing the orchestra in the direction of late Romantic repertoire such as Bruckner, Mahler and Strauss. His third season on the podium with the orchestra offers highlights such as tours in Europe and South America. A Brahms cycle with the four symphonies and his “Fifth”, the piano quartet orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg, released by Warner Classics in 2023, documents impressively the successful cooperation.

Andrew Simon, clarinet [full description]

Boasting a distinguished career spanning over three decades, New York-born clarinettist Andrew Simon has appeared as soloist and guest lecturer on four continents. As Principal Clarinet of the HK Phil since 1988, Simon has recorded solo works by Baermann and Stravinsky and has performed concerti over 70 times, including John Corigliano's Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra which he studied with the Academy Award-winning composer.

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Jukka-Pekka Saraste, conductor [full description]

Jukka-Pekka Saraste has established himself as one of the outstanding conductors of his generation, demonstrating remarkable musical depth and integrity. Born in Heinola, Finland, he began his career as a violinist before training as a conductor with Jorma Panula at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. An artist of exceptional versatility and breadth and renowned for his objective approach, he feels a special affinity with the sound and style of late Romantic music. He maintains a particularly strong connection to the works of Beethoven, Bruckner, Shostakovich, Stravinsky and Sibelius and is internationally celebrated for his interpretations of Mahler.

Christian Schmitt, organ [full description]

Since his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Sir Simon Rattle and the Salzburg Festival with Magdalena Kožená, Christian Schmitt has been one of the most sought-after organists internationally. In 2024, the first collaboration with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Warsaw National Philharmonic and a re-invitation to the Walt Disney Hall Los Angeles are on the agenda. In the 22/23 season he made his debuts at Carnegie Hall New York under Dennis Russel Davis, with the Dallas Symphony and with the Gothenburg Symphony under Christoph Eschenbach. In 2021/22 he was "Artist in Focus" of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich as well as curator of the "International Organ Days" there and inaugurated the new organ under the direction of Paavo Järvi. Since 2014 he has been Principal Organist of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra.

Jing Wang, violin [full description]

Critically acclaimed Canadian violinist Jing Wang is one of the most versatile and dynamic violinists of his generation. Since his solo recital debut in Marseilles, France at the age of six, Wang has garnered prizes in top international competitions, including the first prize at the 2007 Irving M. Klein International Strings Competition. In 2003, Wang was awarded the "Young Soloist of the Year" by Les Radios Francophones Publiques, a broadcast network of four countries including France, Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium. As a part of the award, Wang’s first CD album including works by Beethoven, Ravel and Gershwin was released in Europe. Jing has been Concertmaster of the HK Phil since 2013. 

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MICHAEL SANDERLING | SHOSTAKOVICH SYMPHONY NO. 6

12 | 4 | 2024

FRI 8PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$420 $340, $260 $180 $50

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme

SWIRE DENIM SERIES:

MICHAEL SANDERLING | HAPPY HOUR WITH MOZART

13 | 4 | 2024

SAT 5PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$300 $200 $50

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme

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JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE | HAPPY HOUR WITH BEETHOVEN

19 | 4 | 2024

FRI 8PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$520 $420 $320 $220

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme

SWIRE DENIM SERIES:

JUKKA-PEKKA SARASTE | HAPPY HOUR WITH BEETHOVEN

20 | 4 | 2024

SAT 5PM

Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall

HK$520 $420 $320 $220 $50

Tickets now available at URBTIX

For ages 6 and above

Artists

Programme