Prison Yard Festival: Solitary ReunionTai Kwun - Centre for Heritage and Arts

When playing in an ensemble, musicians have the ability to understand each other without verbal means of communication. It is through their silent solidarity that we can be moved by music. Throughout the pandemic, however, musicians experienced separation; it was not long ago when masks, distance and partitions were indispensable in a concert. Yet, despite these physical barriers, music transcends borders, defies quarantine and brings people together as listeners, composers or performers.

Echoing the theme of the Prison Yard Festival, this theatrically staged concert reflects on the isolation endured by all of us, and the dislocation experienced by musicians kept apart. In Mozart’s Rondo, the pianist searches in vain for meaning, connection or companionship but the introspective solitude of a Bach Partita for solo violin opens up a tentative dialogue with a like-minded neighbor. A single instrument is joined by another, first in Q&A then in harmony together; the group, the confidence and the richness grow; we pause for the calming mindfulness of Messiaen’s hymn of praise before the whole ensemble dives headlong into the extrovert joy and life-affirming reunion of Schumann’s Piano Quintet.

Programme

Mozart│Rondo in A minor, K.511
Avan Yu (piano)
J.S. Bach│Bourrée & Double from Violin Partita no. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002
Gui Li, Wang Liang (violin)
Mozart│Duo for Violin and Viola in G major, K. 423
Wang Liang (violin), Sun Yu Johnny (viola)
Messiaen│Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus from Quatuor pour la fin du temps
Richard Bamping (cello), Avan Yu (piano)
Schumann│Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op.44
Wang Liang(violin), Gui Li (violin), Sun Yu Johnny (viola), Richard Bamping (cello), Avan Yu (piano)

Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes without intermission

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Remarks
For wheelchair user, please purchase tickets via URBTIX www.urbtix.hk
Latecomers will be only be admitted at suitable time
Recommended for ages 6 and above