When it comes to the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), it always brings to mind the magnificent orchestral music and the spirited Orchestra musicians. What is even more impressive is the elegance and delicacy that belong to the orchestra. Despite being known as “one of the leading classical orchestras in Asia,” HK Phil has also been continuously showcasing a vibrant artistic cultivation and musical vitality, organizing various music events, collaborating to present classical and pop cross-over concerts, which are highly acclaimed by music lovers!
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestra has announced that they will gather with several pop music giants at the Hong Kong Coliseum for three concerts titled “HK Phil 50•String Friends Reunion”. The guest performers are all talented artists in their own right, including the queen of Cantopop Sally Yeh, singer Lun Wai Leung, legendary diva Elisa Chan, and Priscilla Chan, along with young singers Jay Fung, Cloud Wan, and Oscar Tao. Artists from different eras will come together with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to revisit the classics of the past.
When the hall-of-famer meets the new generation, who knows what kind of sparks will fly at this concert? Will it be a clash or a collaboration? Why not listen to what Elisa and Jay Fung have to say?
Two Generations, Two Passions
Seeing Elisa and Jay Fung sitting together might remind you of the scene where they sang “Mamma Mia” together on a TV show. Jay Fung also recalls meeting Elisa for the first time 12 years ago, a memory that is still vivid.
“The year I participated in the singing competition, Elisa was one of the judges, so Miss Chan Chan witnessed my debut,” said Jay Fung. Responding promptly, Elisa stated: “As a judge at the time, the moment I saw Jay, I knew he was the champion in my heart. I really liked his singing style because he is very sincere, a pure musician who writes his own songs, sings in a very up-to-date way, and has flair.”
The last time this master-disciple duo performed together was back in 2021. Such collaborations are indeed rare, so receiving an invitation from the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is a dream come true for them. In their conversations, you can feel a sense of mutual understanding and appreciation between them. Perhaps not many know that they both come from a competitive background. Back then, the challenge may have been how to stand out among the skilled competitors, but today, the challenge lies in how to carve out their own path and maintain passion.
Elisa said, “Having been in the industry for so long, I have collaborated with many senior, peer, and junior singers. I feel that singers at different stages have their own musical styles or requirements, and I see myself as a mediator, an observer. I can both embrace the passion and musical direction of new artists and respect their creativity and energy, but at the same time, I also deeply respect the experience of senior or peer singers, like tasting wine. Therefore, I absorb the strengths and experiences of each singer.“
Although he considers himself less experienced than his seniors, Jay Fung candidly expressed, “Being able to perform on the same stage as Miss Chan Chan is an honor because I feel that her performance can truly convey her passion for music, which has also inspired me to fully enjoy and have fun on this stage.”
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The Charm of Cantonese Songs
Different groups will perform at this concert, each presenting a variety of Cantonese songs. Elisa and her friend Leaf Lee will perform several well-known classic Cantonese songs, including famous TV drama theme songs; while Jay Fung, Cloud, and Oscar will also treat fans to many classic pieces.
When it comes to Cantonese songs, Jay Fung recalls Elisa’s advice during the competition, urging him to practice Cantonese seriously, which left a deep impression on him. Elisa, upon hearing this, jokingly said, “People usually say I’m mean, but I didn’t scold you, did I? Haha. Although his Cantonese is not very accurate and fluent, Jay is a sincere singer. So as someone with experience, I just wanted to give him some pointers. Because I know that in the future, he will definitely have to sing Cantonese songs when he debuts. This also proves that I really value him.”
Although music is a universal language expressed through notes and artistic emotions know no borders, when it comes to being based in Hong Kong, Cantonese songs cannot be ignored. Therefore, mastering Cantonese has become a core subject for Jay Fung. Not only must he understand the nine tones and six pitches, but pronunciation must be accurate because slight differences in pronunciation can lead to completely different meanings.
Learning Cantonese is difficult, singing Cantonese songs is even more challenging. It requires both rhyme and accurate pronunciation, testing the skills of lyricists and singers alike. However, Cantonese songs have held a place worldwide for many years, indicating their captivating qualities. Being singer-songwriters, they must have felt the charm of Cantonese songs, right?
Jay Fung paused for a moment and said, “For me, the charm of Cantonese songs lies in the melody, as songs from other places may be just strung together with four chords, but Cantonese songs have many melodies, possibilities, and variations, which makes them very unique; next is the lyrics, compared to foreign language songs that tend to be simple in meaning or vocabulary, so I think Cantonese songs have a strong storytelling element.“
Elisa also agrees with this: “I think Cantonese songs should be viewed in different layers and stages. For example, the early authentic Hong Kong-style Cantonese songs, represented by Sam, Kui Ge (George Lam), and Jim Sir (Danny Chan), have a unique Cantonese song pattern distinct from foreign music. The later Cantonese songs have incorporated many Japanese, European, and American elements, and even more recently, they have started to evolve with K-pop influences. Therefore, Cantonese songs have gone through different periods and cultures, blending many global influences, but one thing remains unchanged, which is the lyrics. Lyrics belong to a specific regional or local culture and language. The essence of Chinese itself is more visual and imagery-heavy, hence storytelling is more prominent. I believe this is the uniqueness of Cantonese songs.”
Talking about Classics
However, this concert is not only related to Cantonese songs but, more importantly, it’s about the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra collaborating with local pop singers to reinterpret classic hits, paying tribute to Hong Kong pop songs. Speaking of tribute, it’s intriguing how they, who have been dedicated to music and creation for many years, have listened to a wide variety of music and crafted many beloved “classic” pieces. So, what makes something a “classic” to them? Which piece is considered a classic in their hearts?
“I believe that classics are those that you can immediately recognize upon hearing.” Jay Fung paused and began to list, “I came into contact with Cantonese songs because my dad enjoys listening to them, such as Alan Tam, Jacky Cheung, and of course, there are many songs by Miss Chan Chan, like ‘A Thousand Suns’.” Elisa also chimed in, “The classic hits of Sandy Lam are countless to me, from ‘Grey’ to ‘Still’ and ‘No Results.’ As for William So, there’s ‘A Person Behind the Piano,’ ‘Heart Still Cold,’ and then there’s no need to mention Priscilla Chan, it’s definitely ‘Shanghai Beach’…”
After everyone shared, Elisa seriously analyzed, “I think there are different ways to study classics. As a musician, we have a more subjective thinking about music, such as philosophy and theory; but as an ordinary person, classics are just an episode in their life, which is unshakeable. For me, I feel that there are so many songs that can have a profound impact, even influencing the direction of music or thoughts.”
In conclusion, Elisa summarized, “In terms of music, I believe that classics are timeless. They can incorporate different elements from various eras, possess their own evolving nature, continuously progress, uncover a multitude of colors and dimensions, transcend different periods. Another type of classic is when a specific era or event in your life becomes fixed, creating a strong link with a positive element or impact, so classics in everyone’s life are very diverse.“
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra 50th Anniversary Chamber Ensemble Gathering
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra has made this music extravaganza possible, with extraordinary performers scheduled to appear. It’s been years since the band last set foot on the stage of the Hong Kong Coliseum, and both Elisa and Jay Fung are eagerly anticipated.
Although Elisa has collaborated with wind ensembles several times before, performing at the Hong Kong Coliseum is indeed her first time. She said, “After all, live music is rare nowadays. Although performances occasionally have live band accompaniment, most rely on backing tracks. Every time I turn around, there is nobody behind me, but not this time. Behind me is a group of orchestral musicians. In such a grand venue, seeing them all dressed in Tuxedos with their music is truly rare. This is definitely what live singers dream of!”
When it comes to this, Elisa and Jay Fung then together fantasize about the scenes and feelings of performing – enjoying playing and listening on stage, and interacting with the audience… Jay Fung can hardly contain his excitement, while Elisa couldn’t help but express, “I feel like something is welling up in my heart! Really!”
And this time, the music is conducted by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra’s resident conductor Liao Kwok Man, with He Bing Shun serving as the music director of the concert, aiming to use orchestral music to present a different style of Cantonese songs. At a previous media event, Liao Kwok Man and Lun Wing Leung spontaneously played a section of Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” unveiling a brilliant chapter of the performance. “This time, we hope to pay tribute to Fong Gor and Tsim Suk with a world-class, Hong Kong-based orchestra. We will rearrange their music, infuse it with a classic direction, along with modern elements, and enhance it with the dynamic power of the orchestra. That’s why our music director, He Bing Shun, mentioned the difficulty of this task, as Fong Gor and Tsim Suk are already classic music giants with very distinctive styles. How to incorporate new elements without losing their classic sophistication is challenging, so this time it’s about repackaging, which is a part I am eagerly anticipating!” Elisa explained earnestly.
It is evident that the collaboration sparks at this concert not only between the two of them but among the whole band, singers, and audience. These sparks have occasionally emerged during interviews, and it is believed that future sparks will definitely shine brightly, bringing more surprises to everyone. As Elisa described, they are not only “rare” and “sought after” but also “unforgettable”.
China Life (Overseas) Proudly Presents: HKPhil@50 – Chamber Music Soiree
Date: April 27 – 29, 2024
Time: 8:15 PM
Location: Hong Kong Coliseum, Hung Hom
Ticket Prices: HK$1080｜$780｜$480
(Tickets available for purchase at Urbtix)
Conductor Liao Guomin
Music Director of the Concert He Bing Shun
Singers Chen Jie Ling, Feng Yun Qian, Linda Lin, Lun Yong Liang, Tu Yu Lin, Yun Hao Ying, Yip Lai Yee
crédito
陳潔靈
Hair: Jam Ng
Makeup: Ellen Tam
Jay Fung
Hair: JamieLeeHair
Makeup: San Chan
Wardrobe: INITIAL
Venue provided: FWD House 1881
