17-2-19

On 14 Feb, 2019, Maestro Henry Shek and The New Philharmonia of Hong Kong presented a concert “For Those in Love”.

The Finnish soprano Jutta Holmberg and Irish baritone Brendan Collins were invited to perform with their stunning voices. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the concert offered a variety of love songs and music pieces: Roses from the South Waltz, Toreador Song from the opera “Carmen”, movie songs Love Story, Unchained Melody & “In Questa Reggia” from the opera Turandot etc. The highlight came when Brendan and Jutta thoughtfully sang the popular tune of “All I Ask of You” from the musical The Phantom of the Opera.

While music is emotional and uncertain, music business can be mathematical and calculated: the more popular music you play in a concert, the more audience you get. The irony is that most classical musicians hate to pursue music which may be regarded as mediocre or uninspiring. The avalanche of joy and applause from the unsophisticated audience is tempting but many musicians fear that once when they are trapped in the cell of pleasing the audience, they may gradually over-please and become indulgent in further Stockholm syndrome.

It is amazing to see how Henry Shek and the Orchestra managed to strike a delightful balance between classical and popular music in a festive concert. He was able to playfully manipulate the mood of the audience with different aspects of love: sweetness, sadness, hopefulness and despair.

The advent of technology has brought classical music available in many channels: TV, radio, cinema screen and even mobile phone. The challenge of keeping audience in a physical venue of concert hall will imply pondering more new and “fun” ideas to capture and keep the audience happy and coming back. This explains why at the end of the concert, Maestro Shek even danced and swayed energetically.

Love can be agony but music will heal. So, I love beautiful melodies telling me stories of sorrow on a Valentine’s Day. You?

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