The 12 Cellists of the Berliner Philharmoniker will make their Hong Kong debut in July as part of the "Great Music 2025" series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). This exceptional ensemble is celebrated for both its versatility and musical skill. Their concert will feature a varied repertoire, including classical, tango, jazz, spirituals, French chansons, and film scores, promising an acoustic experience that blends classical and crossover music.
The ensemble's origins trace back to a 1972 radio production of Julius Klengel's "Hymnus" for 12 cellos, which inspired the formation of this distinguished group. The concert will begin with this iconic piece, followed by their first commissioned work, Boris Blacher's "Blues, Espagnola, Rumba Philharmonica." The program will also include Fauré's "Pavane, Op. 50," Jean Françaix's "Aubade - Presto," and Stephan Koncz's "Swing on Dvořák."
Additionally, they will perform arranged works such as the beloved French chansons "Pigalle" and "Sous le ciel de Paris," along with the spirituals "Nobody Knows" and "Let My People Go," and Piazzolla's tango piece "Engeltrilogie." The concert will also feature film scores from "Titanic," "Clap Yo Hands" from "Funny Face," and the jazz standard "Caravan," showcasing the cello's remarkable adaptability across genres.
The 12 Cellists, often referred to as "an orchestra within an orchestra," engage audiences of all ages with their blend of seriousness and humor, depth and lightness. They frequently perform in Berlin and internationally, and they have served as cultural ambassadors for Germany. Their albums regularly chart in classical music and have won ECHO Klassik Awards in 2001, 2005, and 2017.
The concert will take place at 8 pm on July 9 (Wednesday) at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. Tickets, priced from 350 to 1,150, are available through URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For phone bookings, call 3166 1288. Discounts are available for those purchasing tickets for both this concert and the "Piano Recital by Mikhail Pletnev" on June 17. For program inquiries and concession schemes, call 2268 7321 or visit the LCSD website.
A pre-concert talk titled "When Cellists Come Together" (in Cantonese) will be held at 6:45 pm on July 9 at the Level 4 Foyer Reception Area of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, led by music practitioner Jimmy Shiu. Admission is free, with limited seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The "Great Music 2025" series, organized by the LCSD, features star-studded performances from June to November, showcasing renowned musicians and ensembles from around the world, highlighting Hong Kong as a hub for cultural exchange. For more information, visit the LCSD website.
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