This summer, Centaline Club is set to present its members with a series of cultural and artistic feasts, starting with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta's "A Clarinet Rhapsody". The concert was held on late June at the Hong Kong City Hall, and featured a heartfelt performance by the rising young clarinet soloist, Horácio Ferreira. The most remarkable point was that there were two pieces premiered in Asia for the first time, making this musical extravaganza a rare treat. Centaline Club specially invited its esteemed Gold Club members to enjoy the event and experience the unique charm of the clarinet up close. Members were captivated by Ferreira's musical world and spent an unforgettable evening by immersing in his artistry.
Rising Clarinet Star Ferreira Delivers a Heartfelt Performance with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Portuguese clarinetist Ferreira is one of the most acclaimed emerging soloists of our time, and has been praised by Público for his “total control of the instrument’s sound” and the “technical perfection and enviable aesthetic sensitivity”, which implies that he is highly regarded in the industry. Last year, Ferreira performed with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta at the Marvão International Music Festival in Portugal and received numerous praise and accolades. This time, on the Hong Kong stage, Ferreira once again joined forces with Hong Kong Sinfonietta's Music Director, Christoph Poppen, to mark their Asian premieres for 2 clarinet pieces by composer Gordon, commissioned jointly by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta and three European and American orchestras, St Paul Chamber Orchestra, Swedish Chamber Orchestra, and Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.
Asian Premieres of Première Rhapsodie and Fumée
Ferreira debuted in Asia with performances of Première Rhapsodie (2021) and Fumée (2021). Première Rhapsodie (2021) starts with a melancholic introduction, then blend elements of rhapsody and nocturne, so as to invite audiences to visit his fantasy world. The piece weaves together melodies of different emotions, guiding the audience's feelings from melancholy to excitement with a distinctive layered texture. On the other hand, the clarinet concerto Fumée (2021) is a classical music piece that fuses traditional orchestral elements with a modern touch. This composition uses strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion to not only create a complex and rich musical texture, but also feature improvisational and spontaneous elements that evoke a sense of drifting between reality and dreams, leaving audiences to feel relaxed and blissed. Ferreira's soft and delicate performance style, together with his superb technique, presented a captivating and unpredictable musical feast on stage, and end up earning high praise from the ground.
In the same concert, under the baton of Music Director Poppen, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta also performed Debussy's Prélude à L’Après-midi d’un Faune and Symphony No 40 in G minor, K550, and showcased the composers' unparalleled imagination. The evening's performances were exceptionally brilliant, with continuous applause and a heated atmosphere.
Download the Centaline App to Become a Member and Participate in Exciting Events
This "A Clarinet Rhapsody" concert fully showcased Ferreira's exceptional talent, and provided Centaline Club members with a perfect auditory feast. Moving forward, Centaline Property and Centaline Club will continue to promote more exciting cultural and artistic activities to share pleasures with members. Download the Centaline App now and sign up as a member for the chance to participate in trilling events! Members are encouraged to stay tuned and keep an eye on latest news from Centaline. We look forward to seeing you at the next event!
(Some contents are excerpted from ‘Hong Kong Sinfonietta’)