Interview by William Chan
In an exclusive interview, local saxophonist Timothy Sun (孫穎麟) has told The Macau Post Daily that he will perform solo with the Macao Chinese Orchestra (OCHM) on April 2.
The interview was conducted recently in a café in the city centre.
Sun began his music studies at the age of seven. He studied the saxophone and clarinet with George Galway at the Ellen Wilkinson High School of Art in England in 1997, and in 2001 became the first Chinese saxophone and clarinet student of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under a full scholarship for his Bachelor’s degree, where his principal teachers were the world-renowned saxophonists John Harle and Christian Forshaw. He also worked with clarinettist Julian Farrell and flautist Glen Martin in 2006. He completed his Master’s degree under a scholarship and received the highest score in the final recital.
In recent seasons, Sun has appeared in more than 100 recitals and orchestral concerts in Asia and Europe. Besides performing with numerous local and Hong Kong orchestras and bands, such as the Macao Chinese Orchestra (OCHM) and Hong Kong Philharmonic (HK Phil) as a soloist, Sun has also collaborated with the Zhejiang Symphony Orchestra and the Guiyang Symphony Orchestra.
Sun is one of the “Buffet Group” and “Vandoren Paris” artists. He is a saxophone lecturer coach at the Macau Conservatory, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and the Hong Kong Baptist University.
Music aims & prospects
Sun released his latest album “S’way with me” last year, explicitly written for Sun by several Hong Kong composers and local composer Joe Lei. “I feel like I have completed another milestone in my life, after my earlier milestone to perform as a soloist with the HK Phil. When people asked about my dream, I always told them I wanted my own album,” Sun underlined.
The next step for Sun is to establish more venues for musicians in Hong Kong and Macau to host their shows. “I plan to create a mini concert hall in Hong Kong which can seat 100 people”, Sun said, adding that he would invite local artists to perform in the hall with remuneration.
“One of the saddest situations in Macau is the lack of performing spaces. While I consider music, especially wind instruments, has been quite universalised thanks to our predecessors, they had few chances to show their excellence,” Sun noted, pointing out that the Macao Orchestra wind section has no local musicians and most artists find it challenging to find a suitable performing space.
According to Sun, performance is a constant aspiration for musicians, and the government and local communities should also assist in creating opportunities for local performers. “The government has resources to hold activities such as parades, but in my opinion, these events are temporary and can’t solve the problems artistes are facing in the long run,” Sun said, adding that the government should make use of the exquisite local churches and Portuguese-style buildings for performance venues.
Sun’s Musicianship
Sun said that successful musicians require decades-long hard work to achieve their dreams, but Sun also noted that Macau’s prosperity did not make this achievement easier. “The massive wealth sort of makes people lazier and stagnates cultural development. The COVID-19 pandemic shocked most people out of their comfort zone, which I think is good news,” Sun said.
As a renowned musician, Sun considers the human connection to be paramount. “Sometimes, I couldn’t stand chatting with my students in the messaging app because the most important matters are often treated casually on the phone. Online performances are much less appealing than live shows since the atmosphere and the interaction between the audience and performers are crucial to the listener’s sensation”, Sun noted.
During the interview, Sun, a versatile musician performing in various music genres, said he would also be performing Hyperreality – an installation concert, a Hong Kong Arts Festival programme, in early March*. “Besides music, the participants would also be experiencing different lighting and visual sensations,” Sun noted, adding that he constantly aimed to strive for excellence and innovation in his music career.
Sun and marimba player Wang Juan will be performing as soloists with the Macao Chinese Orchestra’s “Silk Road Rhapsody ‘’, during which the musicians will play the Silk Road Fantasia Suite. According to an OCHM statement, the suite is a piece based on a variety of ethnic and folk musical elements, featuring a skilful integration of western compositional techniques with Chinese ethnic and folk music.
Slated to start on April 2 at 8 p.m. at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) Grand Auditorium, the ticket prices are 250, 200, 150 and 120 patacas, with various discounts. For enquiries, visit www.macauticket.com/TicketWeb/ProgramInfo.aspx?proCode=P-003555.
*The Hyperreality concert took place early this month, after The Macau Post Daily interview.
Timothy Sun performs at the installation concert Hyperreality during the Hong Kong Arts Festival earlier this month. – Photos provided by Timothy Sun
Sun performs solo with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil) in 2021.
