Mozart Clarinet Concerto

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Featuring two works by Mozart – both written in 1791, the last year of his tragically short life – this concert opens with the spirited overture to La Clemenza di Tito, followed by the only concerto the prolific composer ever wrote for the clarinet and one of the most important in the instrument’s repertoire – the Clarinet Concerto in A. This exquisite work will be performed by the incredible Israeli clarinettist Gilad Harel, who is celebrated not just as a master interpreter of classical music, but also a leading advocate of contemporary and Jewish music. Together with Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the baton of Jason Lai, he will also showcase his stunning musicality and virtuosity in Klezmer Smile, caprice on traditional tunes for clarinet and orchestra. The concert will conclude with Dvořák’s exuberant Symphony No 8, in celebration of the 180th anniversary of the great Czech composer’s birth.

Conductor: Jason Lai (HKS Artist Associate 2009-2011)
Clarinet: Gilad Harel

Programme

Mozart
La Clemenza di Tito Overture, K621

Mozart
Clarinet Concerto in A, K622

Sergei Abir
Klezmer’s Smile (world première)
Caprice on traditional tunes for clarinet & chamber orchestra specially composed for Gilad Harel

Dvořák
Symphony No 8 in G, Op 88

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

One of Hong Kong’s flagship orchestras, Hong Kong Sinfonietta has brought music closer to the community, and achieved significant local and international recognition for its passionate performances and innovative programming. Since 1999, Hong Kong Sinfonietta has collaborated with an illustrious array of international musicians and groups, including in recent years Ilya Gringolts, Martin Helmchen, Sergei Nakariakov, Jean-Guihen Queyras, Krzysztof Penderecki, Bolshoi Ballet, The Royal Ballet and Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch. The orchestra is a regular guest at international arts festivals and has toured 41 cities around the world. As an avid believer of keeping music alive and contemporary, Hong Kong Sinfonietta commissions and performs new works every year and ventures into crossover initiatives, recently receiving wide acclaim for its groundbreaking concert films at MOViE MOViE, Back On Stage and Back On Stage II (Quarantined!).