Programme

Co-commissioned by Hong Kong Sinfonietta, Julian Anderson’s Litanies wins 2023 Grawemeyer Award

Hailed as “one of the most inquisitive, versatile and, above all, best cello virtuosos of our time” (Süddeutsche Zeitung), German cellist Alban Gerhardt has enjoyed an unparalleled career in the past three decades, impressing critics and audiences worldwide with his exceptional musicianship and technique. In his début with Hong Kong Sinfonietta and Music Director Designate Christoph Poppen, he will present the Asian première of Litanies, a cello concerto written especially for him by leading British composer Julian Anderson, who was announced as the recipient of the 2023 Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition for this work. Anderson has received commissions from the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic, and won prestigious awards such as the British Composer Award and Gramophone Award in his stellar career. The programme also includes Mendelssohn’s evocative Calm Sea & Prosperous Voyage, as well as Brahms’ luminous Symphony No 2 in D.

Alban Gerhardt (Cello)

★★★★★  BBC Music Magazine

“Expressive, unshowy and infinitely classy.” The Guardian

“Gerhardt’s playing was always magnificent, his tone clear and focused.” The Strad

“Alban Gerhardt is one the most inquisitive, versatile and, above all, best cello virtuosos of our time.” Süddeutsche Zeitung

“A magician of cantabile playing and a master of virtuosic panache – one of the best cellists alive.” Der Tagesspiegel

“Gerhardt’s playing is supple, richly coloured and articulated with the utmost finesse.” The Daily Telegraph

• Has performed with Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Concertgebouw Amsterdam, London Philharmonic, Orchestre National de France, New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Christoph von Dohnányi, Kurt Masur, Klaus Mäkelä, Christian Thielemann, Simone Young, Susanna Mälkki, Vladimir Jurowski and Andris Nelsons
• Has collaborated with composers including Jörg Widmann, Unsuk Chin, Brett Dean, and Matthias Pintscher
• Winner of International Classical Music Award, ECHO Klassik Awards, BBC Music Magazine Award, etc

Christoph Poppen (Music Director Designate/Conductor)

“Christoph Poppen brought out a broad soundscape from the orchestra.”Süddeutsche Zeitung

• Principal Conductor, Cologne Chamber Orchestra
• Principal Guest Conductor, Israel Chamber Orchestra
• Artistic Director, Marvão International Music Festival, Portugal
• Artistic Director, Classic Revolution Festival, South Korea (2020-2022)
• Music Director, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie (2007-2011)
• Artistic Director, Munich Chamber Orchestra (1995-2006)

Julian Anderson (Composer)

• Winner, 2023 Grawemeyer Award
• Winner of British Composer Award, Gramophone Award and Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize
• Has received commissions from Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic and has held Composer in Residencies with the City of Birmingham Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, London Philharmonic, BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, etc

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Featured artists:

Christoph Poppen
(Music Director)

Alban Gerhardt
(Cello)

Julian ANDERSON
(Composer)