Now in its seventh season under Dutch conductor Edo de Waart, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is maturing and expanding its repertoire, taking on new and challenging pieces with a star-studded cast of guest musicians and singers.

Kicking off the season with their Spectacular! Opening Gala concert, the HKPO will perform with four Chinese opera stars: soprano Liping Zhang, mezzo-soprano Ning Liang, Hong Kong-born tenor Warren Mok and bass-baritone Shen Yang. The four will sing selections from Carmen, Don Giovanni, Tosca, Faust, and more.

After this the HKPO really starts to flex its artistic muscles, performing Mahler’s Symphony No 7, a complex and difficult piece that employs unconventional instruments such as cowbells and a mandolin, on September 10 and 11. In February, the HKPO will revisit Mahler with a performance of his Symphony No 6, also called Tragic. Other upcoming symphonic highlights include Dvorak’s monumental Symphony No 9 (From the New World), Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 (Eroica), Vaughan Williams’ Symphony No 4, and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

In addition to the grand symphonies, a steady stream of big names will also join the orchestra, including golden boy Lang Lang, Korean soprano Sumi Jo, Macedonian pianist Simon Trpčeski and veteran violinist Midori. Between these glittering stars, the HKPO continues the flow of next generation Asian talent, welcoming Chinese pianist Ren Jia, Singaporean violinist Min Lee, and Chinese violinist Tianwa, whose performance prompted one critic to say: “This young woman could outplay the devil.”

The orchestra is also branching out to give its audience a fuller experience, beyond the well-known classics. Twin sisters Christina and Michelle Naughton, both pianists, will perform the lesser-known Concerto for Two Pianos composed by Mendelssohn for himself and his sister. Mezzo-soprano Daniela Mack will sing Ravel’s song-cycle Shéhérazade, which is based on the legendary Arabian Nights tales. And besides the two Mahler symphonies, the orchestra will also venture to play works by Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera, Czech composer Leoš Janáček, and Chinese composer Guo Wenjing.

At the end of the season the HKPO gives itself over to Tchaikovsky in three consecutive concerts, performing Symphonies 4, 5, and 6, the Swan Lake Suite, the Eugene Onegin Polonaise, and accompanying Midori on the Violin Concerto, rounding out the season with Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathétique’, which translates to exactly what the HKPO promises to deliver – a season overflowing with passion.

Sadly, this season is to be de Waart’s penultimate, as he will step down as Artistic Director and Chief Conductor at the end of the 2011/2012. However, with two more years to go, there’s no need to shed tears just yet. This season all the audience needs to do is sit back and enjoy the music. 

Caroline Chen

The HKPO season launches on September 2 at the Cultural Centre. Tickets: 2734 9009; www.urbtix.hk. See www.hkpo.com for full season programme.