Programme

Leading French clarinettist Raphaël Sévère’s phenomenal rise on the international platform was marked by his Victoires de la Musique Classique nomination when he was aged just 15. Since then, he has been impressing audiences around the world with his technical mastery, translucent tone and mesmerising musicality. He will be returning to Hong Kong to bring a fantastic recital (27 May) of exquisite works by French giants Debussy, Poulenc and Saint-Saëns, before appearing in an unmissable concert with Hong Kong Sinfonietta and celebrated Estonian conductor Olari Elts, where Nielsen’s captivating Clarinet Concerto will take centre stage. The rest of the programme will see an evocative pairing of Nielsen’s and Sibelius’ works surrounding Pan, the mythical Greek god of wilderness, as well as the fresh and infectious energy of Sibelius’ Symphony No 3 (30 May).

Raphaël Sévère (Clarinet)

“★★★★★”
Diapason

 “The French virtuoso of the 21^st century.”
ResMusica

“With technical ease and rare musical discernment.”
Diapason

“Astounding technical mastery, stunning musicality and captivating sensitivity.”
ResMusica

“Sévère possesses a lovely tone that is remarkably even throughout the clarinet’s range, and a superb legato. He shapes a phrase lovingly and has impeccable intonation.”
Fanfare Magazine

“Sévère’s is a silky clarinet tone, fully even across the range, with a satisfying flare (without blare) in the instrument’s trumpet-like upper reaches.”
Gramophone

• Youngest artist ever nominated in Victoires de la Musique Classique “Révélation Soliste Instrumental” of Year 2010
• 1st Prize and eight special prizes, Young Concert Artists International Auditions, New York 2013
• Has performed with London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, Konzerthausorchester Berlin, etc
• His chamber partners include quartets Modigliani, Ebène, Prazák, Van Kuijk, Trio Wanderer, Martha Argerich, Boris Berezovsky, Gidon Kremer, etc

Colleen Lee (Piano/HKS Artist Associate 2010/2011)

• Has performed with London Symphony Orchestra and Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, etc
• Has been featured at festivals including the International Chopin Festival in Poland, Assisi International Piano Festival in Italy, Pianoforte-Festival Meissen in Germany and International Keyboard Festival in New York
• Sixth Prize, International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition 2005
• First Prize, the Third International Seiler Piano Competition 2003

Featured artists:

Raphaël Sévère
(Clarinet)

Colleen Lee
(Piano / HKS Artist Associate 2010-2011)

Lu Shang-cong
(Flute)

Sandy Xu
(Oboe)

Woo Hee-soo
(Clarinet)

Liu Tung-bo
(Bassoon)

Paw Man-hing Hermann
(Horn)