|
|
| live music |
| sweet note 5 favourites |
|
Movie Music
Fans of Hayao Miyazaki will be rejoicing. Pianist/composer Joe Hisaishi, the man behind the music of Japanese animation classics Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away, is due to perform in Hong Kong for the first time, with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Interested in minimal music since his early days in Kunitachi College, Hisaishi shocked the world with his impressionistic soundtrack for Nausicaä. Since then he has scored more than 40 films and released nearly the same number of albums. His most recent release was Asian X.T.C., from which he has taken some of the works, new and classic, he will be performing at the show on November 23. The concert plays out at the HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets are available from URBTIX with prices ranging from $150 to $600. |
|
 |
Classical
Wit
Here he comes again. You see him in theatres, films and on TV, but now comedian Jim Chim is in the middle of an orchestra. It’s another Standup Symphony with Yip Wing-sie and the Hong Kong Sinfonietta as they take a Short-cut to Classical Music. Only this time they’re trying to fill the Hong Kong Coliseum. But they’ll need as much space as they can get for the cannons and bells of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and some of those raunchy numbers from Bizet’s Carmen. Also look out for a bit of romantic mayhem with Romeo and Juliet. It’s all in a night of family fun on both November 24 and 25 at 8pm. Get your tickets from URBTIX for $120 to $480. |
|
|
Symphonic Song
Edo de Waart continues his masterful cycle of the Mahler symphonies with the most massive of the nine – Symphony No 3 in D minor. The work calls not only for a large orchestra but also a women’s and a children’s choir as well as a mezzo soprano. Maestro de Waart and the Hong Kong Philharmonic are joined by American mezzo Nancy Maultsby, women from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Chorus and the Hong Kong Children’s Choir on November 17 and 18 in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. For insight into the piece join the free pre-concert talk starting at 7:15pm on both days at Level 4 Foyer, Auditoria Building, HK Cultural Centre Concert Hall. Tickets available from URBTIX range from $100 to $400.
Axe Action
The Train, Sonicaltar, Queso, Pablo Honey… admit it, you haven’t heard them play yet. But you will at the World Battle of the Bands 2006 at Club Hot on November 24, where bands from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan among others will be vying for recording contracts, studio time, music videos and more. Last year’s winner Qiu Hong is still shining and the event is even bigger this year, so something tells us this is one battle that should not be missed. Tickets priced at $200 are available in Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay, Wanchai Tom Lee outlets
and Club Hot, or surf through www.worldbattleofthebands.com for details.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong U Gig Rock 2006 will feature indie sensations King Lychee, False Alarm, Elf Fatima and DSC. Representatives from HKU are dental student Luke Chow, aka the acoustic talent and a frequenter at Underground, and experimental rock band Spermatic Chord. The show kicks off at 7:00pm at The Warehouse on November 25. Advance tickets priced at $40 are available from Green Music, Hot Focus, Harmony, Mono and 310. Walk-in tickets are $50 each.
Block Rockin’ Beats
And now one for all the skin thumpers. The Hong Kong Percussion Band is a new venture by Dr. Lung Heung-wing, artistic director of Hong Kong Percussion and Yim Hok-man, associate concert master of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra. The band has been practicing since March but their debut concert is due on November 19 at Sha Tin Town Hall Auditorium where nearly 100 percussionists will take the stage: be prepared, it’s going to be LOUD! Tickets available from URBTIX from $40 to $160.
Funkin’ Out
Imagine John Scofield playing Jamiroquai (minus the weird dancesteps) and you’re coming close to Ex-it. The new funk and fusion band grew under the influence of Scofield, Jamiroquai, Medeski Martin and Wood, and Soulive. You may have heard the foursome in jazz/blues venues around town but their next gig is at 10:30pm at the Fringe Gallery on November 18. Mark it in your diary! Tickets are priced at $80 and come with a drink.
Diva Fever
She had them singing in the aisles last year and she’s back to do it again this year. Local legend Paula Tsui returns for another round of concerts from December 15 to 20 – here’s your chance to sing along with all those golden oldies. Tickets are available from URBTIX from $100 to $400.
Kings of Pop
Three legendary artists in 3 consecutive days in Hong Kong, what more can you ask for? Robin Gibb (of the Bee Gees), Art Garfunkel and the Village People with special guests for The Disco Fever World Tour will rock the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center from November 23-25. Tickets available from $280 to $1380 through HK Ticketing, 31288288.
Spook Party
Ghost Style, aka Brandon Ho, is the front man of local funk soul band Site Access and the man behind music from Initial D. The rapper/singer/songwriter/ producer (whatever you call him) now concentrates on his own music label and solo albums, but that is not stopping him putting on a music soirée on November 24 at 8pm at Lab Yellow. Well, it’s a private event but, hey, we’ve got 10 pairs of tickets to give away! If you are in for it, turn to the competitions page for details.
Go Mozart
Celebrate Mozart’s 250th birthday at HKU’s historic Loke Yew Hall on November 20 with City Chamber Orchestra. Performance includes No. 9 in E Flat major and divertimento No. 11 in D major. Tel Aviv-born conductor Lior Shambadal, Canadian soprano Amelia Watkins and awards-winning pianist Gerda Struhal will join the teamwill make their debuts in Hong Kong with the orchestra. Tickets are available from HK Ticketing at $150. In additional, you can get a chance to learn from the master as well. Gerda Struhal will conduct a piano master class from 4-6pm on November 19, $150 for participants or $60 to observe. Call 2975 5696 for details. If you go for something vocal, Ella Kiang Singers’ Passion for Mozart will serve you right. The group will perform Mass in C major Coronation and Die Zauberflote on November 30 at Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall. Tickets from URBTIX at $100 and $150. |
|
 |
Go West
Just a reminder for all hip hop fans – though how could you forget? – six-time Grammy Award winner and the latest MTV Award’s Best Hip Hop artist Kanye West performs a one and only Asian show on November 28 at Hong Kong Outdoor Drive-In, West Kowloon. With opening act Edison Chen and backing by the Hong Kong Orchestra, is Mr. West going to prove why he should have swept all the MTV awards? |
| |
|
|
