Interview by William Chan
Lio Kuok Man, the principal conductor of and music advisor to the Macao Orchestra (OM), recently spoke with The Macau Post Daily in an exclusive online interview about his music insights and the orchestra’s new season.
Lio is a Macau-born conductor, active as one of the notable Chinese conductors in the international classical music scene. Currently serving as the music director, principal conductor of the Macao Orchestra, programme director of the Macao International Music Festival as well as resident conductor of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HK Phil), Lio’s conducting skills have garnered international acclaim, with the Philadelphia Inquirer describing him as “a startling conducting talent.” He won second prize at the 3rd Svetlanov International Conducting Competition in Paris with both the audience and the orchestra prize. In 2014, Lio made history as the first Chinese assistant conductor with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Season ahead for MO
The orchestra is preparing for its new concert season, titled “150th Anniversary of Rachmaninoff’s Birth.” Lio described Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) as a romanticist, drawing inspiration from his Russian background and style. He mentioned that Rachmaninoff’s music exhibits a blend of elegance and passion, with hints of Chopin’s influence. Despite being widely recognised as an exceptional pianist during his time, Lio emphasised Rachmaninoff’s brilliance as a composer, having written remarkable piano concertos and symphonies.
Lio, who is also a pianist and performed at the OM’s closing concert in July, drew parallels between conducting and performing. He sees both the orchestra and the instrument as a means to achieve music, aiming to bring to life what the composer intended for the pieces.
In the interview, Lio characterised musicians as sponges, consistently absorbing and learning. He emphasised the significance of perpetual growth, both in musicality and technical skill, stressing that there is always space for advancement. As the orchestra’s leader, his primary objective is to guide his musicians in creating the finest sound achievable. Lio firmly believes that complacency signifies the end of a career; there is always potential for improvement and experimentation. For example, he stressed in the interview that violinists should continually strive to discover the optimal sound from their instruments.
During the previous season, the Macao Orchestra played a series of complimentary outdoor concerts and performances in public locations, such as universities. Lio places great importance on these events, recognising their role in promoting not only the orchestra itself but also classical music as a whole. Lio noted that once someone told him that they could not “understand” classical music. “While it is true that a deep understanding of classical music often stems from extensive musical education, I firmly believe that everyone has the capacity to feel and appreciate its beauty,” Lio said.
In addition to performances, Lio has recently taken up the task of promoting classical music through various social media platforms such as Facebook and Xiaohongshu. He aims to share his passion with the public and eagerly welcomes their feedback, whether positive or negative. Lio says believes that maintaining engagement between the audience and musicians is crucial for promoting music.
Lio described the previous year as a challenging beginning, as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of many programmes during the first half of the season and the departure of several musicians from the Macao Orchestra. However, he highlighted that the orchestra has since regained its momentum, evident by the previous season’s closing concert that was sold out a week prior.
Looking ahead to the new season, Lio has extended invitations to young talents from around the globe to perform as soloists with the Macao Orchestra. He said that the orchestra aims to engage these exceptionally gifted musicians so that the local audience can experience their performances before they become established veterans.
Lio emphasised the demanding nature of Rachmaninoff’s compositions, highlighting the need for virtuoso musicians to execute them with exceptional skill. He extended an invitation to everyone to attend the new season’s opening concert, scheduled for the upcoming Saturday, at the Grand Auditorium of the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) at 8 p.m. The Macao Orchestra will be performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Korean pianist Yekwon Sunwoo, who achieved the prestigious gold medal at the 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. To purchase tickets, visit: macauticket.com
Lio conducting –All photos provided by Lio Kuok Man
