Electrifying strains from romantic Formosa

"Formosa", the older, alternative name for Taiwan, means "beautiful" in Portuguese. It was a name given to the beautiful island by passing Portuguese mariners in the 16th century. In this concert series, the HKCO brings to the audience of Hong Kong the beauty of Taiwan through music. Its exotic, indigenous culture and humanism are vividly captured in two works by Taiwan composers, Formosa Capricci and Taiwan Four Seasons. Sparks of youthful energy and electrifying sound scapesare exemplified in the concerto for traditional and electric violin, Wind Fire Wheel Techno - Nalakuvara, composed by a young Taiwanese composer and stars Leung Kin-fung, famous violinist and First Associate Concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Then there is Fire Ritual, a huqin concerto by Tan Dun, which will be performed by the Huqin Principal of the HKCO, Zhang Chongxue. She will be demonstrating the charm of the remodelled eco-huqin series developed by the HKCO with her versatile use of the erhu, zhonghu and gaohu. Lending her voice to this Taiwan-themed concert is Linda Wong, whose connections to both Hong Kong and Taiwan were evidenced by her many hits over the decades.