Programme

The epitome of poetic lyricism and pianistic brilliance –
Pavel Kolesnikov’s Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4

Hailed for his “abundance of intelligence, sensitivity, musicality, imagination and sheer instrumental mastery” (Gramophone), piano virtuoso Pavel Kolesnikov has frequented the world’s most prestigious concert venues and made a spectacular début with Hong Kong Sinfonietta in 2023, attracting rave reviews. He makes a highly anticipated return this Hong Kong Arts Festival to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4 with the orchestra and Music Director Christoph Poppen, in a programme further highlighted by Schumann’s majestic Symphony No 3, “Rhenish” and the world première of Hong Kong composer Hui Tak-cheung’s Remains for Those Remain, for which Hui explored archaeological sites across Hong Kong in order to translate historical data into orchestral soundscapes, weaving together memories of the past.

Pavel Kolesnikov (Piano)

★★★★★
BBC Music Magazine

★★★★★
The Telegraph

★★★★★
The Sunday Times

★★★★★
The Guardian

“Very few pianists of Kolesnikov’s generation share his abundance of intelligence, sensitivity, musicality, imagination and sheer instrumental mastery.”
Gramophone

“The excitement generated by Kolesnikov’s brilliant acrobatic leaps and the warp-speed final flurry – perfectly nailed with the orchestra – ensured the performance was a resounding success.”
South China Morning Post

• Winner, Honens International Piano Competition 2012
• Highlights of 2023/2024 season included concertos with London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, etc
• Has regularly performed at the Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, BBC Proms, Konzerthaus Berlin, the La Roque-d’Anthéron, Piano aux Jacobins and Aldeburgh festivals etc

Christoph Poppen (Music Director/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
• Music Director, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie (2007-2011)
• Artistic Director, Munich Chamber Orchestra (1995-2006)

Hui Tak-cheung (Composer)

• Composer-in-residence, EstOvest Festival 2023 (Turin, Italy)
•  His works are featured at Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (UK), ISCM Taipei New Music Festival, etc
• Winner of Gaudeamus Muzikweek 2020 (The Netherlands), Chaosflöte Commission Competition 2019 (USA), etc

Featured artists:

Christoph Poppen
(Music Director)

Pavel Kolesnikov
(Piano)

HUI Tak-cheung
(Composer)