Programme

In this groundbreaking cultural exchange celebrating both Australian and Chinese musical heritage, Hong Kong Sinfonietta brings together two world-leading virtuosos of two distinctive, fascinating and surprisingly versatile traditional instruments. Representing home soil is local Sheng master Loo Sze-wang, while Didgeridoo superstar William Barton will hail from Australia and bring into spotlight the incredible thousand-year-old instrument which has become a shining beacon of Australian Aboriginal culture. The pair will present the world première of Dylan Crismani’s concerto for Sheng and Didgeridoo, Coming Together, under the baton of conductor Luke Dollman, in a programme which also features well-loved works by Beethoven as well as the Hong Kong première of Peter Sculthorpe’s atmospheric Earth Cry.

Loo Sze-wang (Sheng/HK Artist Associate 2012-2013)

“In the hands of sheng virtuoso Loo Sze-wang, the piece was impressive.”American Record Guide

• Has performed at the Melbourne Festival, Singapore Arts Festival, Buenos Aires International Music Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival, New Vision Arts Festival, Chinese Composers’ Festival etc
• Performed with Hong Kong Sinfonietta on tour in North America, France, Poland, Lithuania, Argentina, Brazil, Beijing & Shanghai
• Founding member, Chinese Music Virtuosi

William Barton (Didgeridoo)

“With the unique and beautiful mix of orchestra and didgeridoo, there were no real words to describe the magnificence the audience was witnessing.”Absolute Theatre Review

“He’s one of the great virtuosos. It’s a sound I had heard before, but never with that sort of technique. The possibilities are extraordinary. This is a great man. He radiates. You watch him and think, this is impressive.” Sir Simon Rattle

“Barton, an award-winning musician, held the audience in thrall with this spiritual work which conjured up bush sounds, birds singing, wind whispering through trees, and late evening and early morning songlines.” Stage Whispers

• Australian of the Year 2023 (Queensland)
• Winner, Don Banks Music Award, Australia 2021
• Has performed with the London Philharmonic, Bremer Philharmonic, Chineke!, all major orchestras in Australia etc

Luke Dollman (Conductor)

• Has worked with orchestras such as Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Helsinki Philharmonic, Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie, and all major orchestras in Australia and New Zealand

Featured artists:

Luke Dollman
(Conductor)

Loo Sze-wang
(Sheng / HKS Artist Associate 2012-2013)

William Barton
(Didgeridoo)

Peter SCULTHORPE
(Composer)

Dylan CRISMANI
(Composer)