Concert Report- Dr. Charles Wong

2008 Annual HKMA Orchestra Concert Raised Over $430,000 for Charity
by Dr. Charles WONG Yat-cheung, double bass

1st half : John Williams overture The Olympic Spirit; Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3
2nd half : Verdi overture La forza del destino; followed by bel canto singing

The exhilarating “Olympic Spirit” composed by John Williams (whose other popular works include scores for Star Wars, and Schindler’s List) kick started this magnificent concert. Adding to the glorious, uplifting sound of trumpets was our own Dr. Timothy LAI. Our other trumpeter Dr. LAM Ying-ming took a break from performance, but contributed his support handsomely nonetheless. Thank you Dr. LAM. Orchestra members themselves also helped generously towards the cost of the concert. Donations received before the concert have already been handed over to Grace Charity Foundation designated to help with construction of health centres in remote regions of rural China.

Decades ago, we oldies were proud of and fascinated by Fu Ts'ong, China’s first internationally acclaimed pianist who frequently played with the likes of Menuhin and Barenboim. After a generation lapse, recently hailed from China, we have world class pianists LI Yundi, an exponent of Liszt and Chopin, and LANG Lang (China trained then studied further at the Curtis of USA).

What about a really home grown virtuoso pianist from Hong Kong? In the shape of one Stephen HUNG, we now have a home grown budding young pianist, at least nearly all home grown until he starts at the Royal Academy of Music, London later on this year. For the past two years, Stephen had been attending Harrow School in London where he was recipient of a music scholarship, and was regarded as one of the most inspiring musicians. Stephen was concertmaster at Wah Yan College Kowloon when he became acquainted with our Music Director Maestro WOO Zun-hin. In case of doubt, “concertmaster” is head of the first violin section, leader of the orchestra whose authority is next to the conductor.

When Maestro WOO initially approached Stephen about performing at our annual July concert, the talented youngster could not even decide whether to perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto or a piano concerto. On hearing this, orchestra members were initially skeptical, that any one can ever be capable of commanding two technically challenging master pieces on two completely different instruments, one on the violin and the other on the piano. With this concert, Stephen has now proved himself to us at least on the piano.

Over the past two decades, the HKMA Orchestra (HKMAO) has had the pleasure of co-operating with quite of number of excellent, mature soloist musicians. On this performance, many of us actually felt it was our honour to have accompanied Stephen on his brilliant performance of the whole of the Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3. We doctor musicians were jealous and overwhelmed by admiration of this marvelous interpretation of a great piece of music by such a very young pianist. Our violinist, Dr. Alex FAN, described the piano performance “…….astounding control of tone, timing and dynamics … Stephen was in love with what he was playing”.

HKMAO is proud to point out that Stephen is from a medical family. His brother Geoffrey, who was leader of the cello section at Wah Yan College Kowloon, now reading engineering at Cambridge, also played in this concert. This participation is exactly what the HKMAO has long championed for, preferring doctors or their family to play together in the HKMA orchestra, and perform as our soloist provided the very high standard demanded is met. In the past, HKMAO held an annual "family concert" for general performance by doctors, their families and friends. These were fraternity gatherings, not designed as show case of excellence as per this occasion. Should funding allow in the future, HKMAO may be able to restart this tradition.

The second half of the concert was filled with bel canto singing from Dr. David FANG and friends of the HKMAO. The whole of the concert can be heard over the Internet from http://www.wongsworld.org/music/index.htm#PA.

The skill and effort demanded to render such a successful concert of this magnitude is immense, particularly when no hired staff was at hand. The musical success of this concert is the result of hard work by members of the HKMAO and friends. The event’s seamlessly smooth run down, detail administration, artwork of its posters, programme book design, write up, collation of data, and endless number of tasks major and minor, were done personally by our cellist Dr. Anthony NG Wing-keung. Thank you Anthony. Not only did he do the hard work hands on, he also organised teams of helpers from in and out of the HKMAO who took on the concert stage management conscientiously. Thank you every one.

Addendum: HKMA members and medical students are welcomed to join the HKMA Orchestra without audition. Non HKMA members with high standard of playing are also welcomed. HKMAO continues to be available in various sizes and combinations to perform at public or private functions. Such honorarium received by doctor members is donated to the HKMAO to assist running cost.