The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong (CCOHK) is no stranger to innovative programmes.
Everything from Tango to Latin to original musicals has had its time to shine in concert, as have instruments from the glass harmonica to the theremin – an electronic instrument controlled without physical contact.
On June 25, at Hong Kong City Hall, the spotlight fell on Brazilian music, along with an array of percussion instruments such as the marimba, as Brazilian composer and percussionist Ney Rosauro conducted the orchestra in “Brazilian Fantasy”, a programme consisting mainly of his works.
Rosauro is one of the most eminent living percussionists and an educator whose etudes and exercises are widely used by music students. Ask any percussionist to name a marimba concerto and most will mention one by Rosauro. On the evening of the performance, City Hall was packed with students and professional percussionists waiting to meet him in person.
The concert opened with the percussionist’s dazzling double concerto.