City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK) shines a light on Mexico’s musical riches in Musica Mexicana, a concert to be held at the Hong Kong City Hall Concert Hall, 8:00pm on 01 February 2023 (Wednesday). Eduardo Zuber, a distinguished Mexican conductor and local Hong Kong resident, will guest conduct CCOHK in performances of mostly mid-20th century Mexican masterpieces with featured solo artists Adrian Walter on classical guitar, Julie Kuok on piano and CCOHK’s concertmaster Amelia Chan on violin.

The musical selections on the programme include Manuel Ponce’s Guitar and Piano Concertos and his most beautiful violin solo work Estrillita, derived from a hit song that was very popular in Mexico in the 1900s. More traditional Mexican characteristics are heard on works for strings by Rodolfo Halffter and the young Rodriguez. CCOHK will perform Silvestre Revueltas’ Sensemayá, one of the most thrilling works in the classical repertory which depicts a ritualistic chant heard during the killing of a snake. This work has been revered and advocated by many of our greatest conductors including Leonard Bernstein and Leopold Stokowski.

Australian Guitarist Adrian Walter makes an exciting return to Hong Kong. From 2012 to 2020 he was appointed Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, during which time he was honoured with the title of Emeritus Director and Professor. Eduardo Zuber studied violin under Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School of Music in New York and conducting with Gustav Meier at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore on a full scholarship. His engagements include assistant conductor of the National Orchestra of Mexico and assistant conductor for the Baltimore Concert Opera in the USA.

Programme
Arturo Rodríguez | Mexicanismos
Ponce | Estrellita for Violin
Rodolfo Halffter | Don Lindo de Almería (Excerpts)
Ponce | Concierto del Sur for Guitar Revueltas I Sensemayá
Ponce | Balada Mexicana for Piano

Guest Conductor: Eduardo Zuber
Guest Artists: Adrian Walter guitar, Julie Kuok piano & Amelia Chan violin