Lio Kuok Man, the Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Macao Orchestra (OM), gave his insights to the Post last week about his journey with the local orchestra and the upcoming Brahms performances.
Since assuming his role in October 2022, Lio has been dedicated to pushing musical boundaries for both himself and his fellow musicians. Over the past two years, Lio pointed out, he has initiated numerous projects aimed at exploring new artistic directions. One standout event was the inaugural outdoor concert, “Starry Symphony at the Lawn,” with US trumpeter Chris Botti, held at the Macau Cultural Centre’s plaza, where audiences enjoyed music in a relaxed, picnic-like atmosphere. Lio remarked, “Music should not be confined to concert halls; it can also take place outdoors, creating a communal experience.”
In addition to the outdoor concert, the Macao Orchestra, under Lio’s baton, has integrated ballet into musical performances, notably transforming the “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” (梁祝)* through dance. Last October, the Macao Orchestra collaborated with the Hong Kong Ballet for the world premiere of the show in Hong Kong, followed by a successful performance in Macau in November. Lio expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to explore diverse genres, noting that other cities have expressed interest in hosting their performances.
Niu Niu (left), Chinese piano soloist for Brahms concerto on Friday, and Macao Orchestra (OM) Music Director and Principal Conductor Lio Kuok Man perform a piano duet at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) at the new concert season opening last August. – Photos provided by Lio Kuok Man
Brahms week
The orchestra will host a mini-Brahms festival from this Friday through Sunday, as well as on the following weekend (March 14 and 15). This festival will feature the German composer’s symphonies and all of his concertos, with five solo guest musicians performing with the orchestra. Lio said he has also invited local composer Lam Bun Ching to write a short overture for each concert, thereby promoting local music and harmonising it with the classics.
All “Tribute to Brahms” concerts will take place at the Grand Auditorium, except for this Sunday’s concert entitled “Tribute to Brahms – Free Flow Chamber Music Sunday” in the Small Auditorium. Lio emphasised the charm of free-flow chamber music, a quintessential aspect of Brahms’ style of music and a performance arrangement that is rarely seen nowadays. “Each of the four shows will last approximately 45 minutes. Instead of having them sit through the whole session, audiences can select their preferred performances while enjoying coffee and snacks during the intermission,” Lio said.
Poster for upcoming Tribute to Brahms concert.
Future performances: Mahler & Stravinsky
Lio envisions substantial advancements for the local orchestra, with an emphasis on diversifying performances and elevating overall skill levels. Featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” in their upcoming June concert exemplifies this vision, as the work is considered a benchmark of orchestral excellence. “In the near future, we hope to perform at least one Mahler piece each year,” he said, highlighting his dedication to challenging the orchestra and enhancing its prestige.
Moreover, the upcoming performance of Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” next month represents a significant milestone for the Macao Orchestra, marking their first venture into this revolutionary masterpiece. Lio underscores the technical challenges presented by the piece, which necessitates a larger ensemble and a higher level of musicianship, reflecting his enthusiasm for the impending challenges and their potential to further develop the players.
All tickets can be purchased on Macau Ticket website on: macauticket.com/TicketWeb2023/programme/P-055060
P.S.
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): A German composer and pianist of the Romantic era, Brahms is celebrated for his mastery of classical forms and rich, lyrical compositions. His works blend emotional depth with structural rigor, earning him a place among the “Three Bs” of classical music (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms).
Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): An Austrian composer and conductor, Mahler is renowned for his expansive symphonies that explore existential themes and incorporate diverse musical influences, from folk tunes to modernist elements. Mahler’s music profoundly influenced 20th-century composers.
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): A Russian-born composer, Stravinsky is one of the most influential figures in 20th-century music, known for his stylistic evolution and groundbreaking works like The Rite of Spring, which revolutionised rhythm and harmony. - Source: DeepSeek
*The “Butterfly Lovers’ Violin Concerto” is a renowned piece of classical music composed in 1959 by Chinese composers He Zhanhao and Chen Gang. It is based on the famous Chinese legend of the Butterfly Lovers, which tells the tragic love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. - Source: Wikipedia
