HK’s Chinese Music Virtuosi joins Fulcrum Point ensemble in Chicago debut

For more information, please contact:
Melissa Ng /David Hsieh at 212-752-3320
Daniel McAtee at 202-238-6360
Wing Yan Tong at 415-835-9315

Chicago, IL, May 19, 2009 - The “‘Hong Kong at the Fulcrum Point” concert, featuring the Chicago debut of the six-member Chinese Music Virtuosi ensemble from Hong Kong with the Windy City’s Fulcrum Point New Music Project, impressed upon a full-house audience at the Thorne Auditorium of Northwestern University this (May 19, Chicago time) evening.

The musical performance, presented under the auspices of the month-long ‘Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009’ Festival, offered the Chicago music lovers an experience of inspiring new music in the powerful context of exquisite imagery, dynamic dance, and the spiritual richness of traditional ritual.

Addressing the audience at the beginning of the concert, Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA Donald Tong said the concert vividly demonstrated how “East meets West”, a paraphrase popularly used to qualify the diversity of the Hong Kong cultural environment.

“Hong Kong, the Asia’s world city in its own right, is an open and pluralistic society where people of all nationalities celebrate their own culture, beliefs, and pastimes,” he said.

Noting that Hong Kong is at the forefront of developments in the Asia-Pacific region, Mr Tong said the Hong Kong Government has earmarked US$2.8 billion to turn a prime 100-acre harbourfront site in West Kowloon into a world-class integrated arts, cultural, entertainment and tourism district.

“When fully commissioned, the West Kowloon Cultural District, as it will be called, will house 15 new performing arts venues of different types, including a Chinese opera venue, two concert halls, two grand theatres and a museum for 20th and 21st century art,” Mr Tong said.

“With the booming economy on the Mainland and in the region, it will trigger a rising demand for cultural, creative, and artistic qualities. Hong Kong eyes this as an opportunity to add to our pursuit for excellence,” he added.

Mr Tong called on Chicagoans to pay a visit to Hong Kong, a meeting place of the East and the West, and a fusion of creativity and dynamism.

The concert this evening showcased three world Premieres, including two pieces of music by Hong Kong-based composers specially commissioned for this performance: Semblance of Invisible by Ng King-pan which was accompanied with a performance by Chicago Tai Chi master Dong Xiao-fei, and a bliss: day in, day out by Aenon Jia-en Loo for the grand finale.

There was also a new choreography by Melissa Thodos to the score Yi Zhi Shan, a pipa solo by Law Wing-fai, performed by Thodos Dance Chicago soloist Mollie Mock. Melissa Thodos is one of Chicago’s most renowned choreographers/dancers.

"Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009" is hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York, and supported in part by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

The month-long celebrations are also in partnership with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Asian Affairs, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, the Gene Siskel Film Center and Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism.

Many of the events taking place are free to the public, but registration is required. For more information about the events, please visit this website: www.hongkongcomestochicago.com.