“The Spirit of the Masters” interweaves history with culture, literature and Xiqu, featuring masterpieces by four illustrious composers —  Wang Liping, Jia Daqun, Zhao Jiping, and Yan Huichang — representing consummate artistic excellence. 

This concert marks the Hong Kong premiere of the Chinese orchestra version of The Dream of the Red Chamber Capriccio by Wang Liping for Cello and Chinese Orchestra, arranged by soloist Trey Lee and Alfred Wong. Wang’s original music, having won the hearts of generations of Chinese, is now a fresh dialogue across centuries and cultures. 

Zhao’s Guo Feng ingeniously quotes the ancient tune Three Variations on Plum Blossom, building two sets of variations, adding ever-changing harmonic colours expressing not only sorrow and hardship but also endurance and resilience.

Through the dizi, Jia’s Capriccio: The Melodies of Bamboo inspired by Kun Opera highlights tranquil, distant, nimble and profound melodies depicting Kunqu opera troupes both on and off stage, while colourful harmonies portray splendid Chinese landscapes from the northern frontiers to the southern rivers. 

Nuo—a concerto for sanxian—by Yan Huichang is inspired by one of the three major religious ceremonies in ancient China. The robust timbres and virtuosity of the sanxian capture the earthiness of age-old rituals in purely musical form.