Interview by William Chan
The Macau Band Directors Association (MBDA) will present the Phone Show on July 22 at the Macau Cultural Centre (CCM) Small Auditorium. Performed primarily by a saxophone ensemble, this year’s edition marks a major milestone for the local music community, featuring Dutch saxophonist Arno Bornkamp.
Known for blending lyricism with energetic interpretations, Bornkamp’s participation highlights the development of the event. For conductor Hugo Loi (呂瀚章), inviting Bornkamp reflects the ongoing growth of Macau’s classical music scene.
According to Loi, this year’s performance focuses on the theme of “Celebration”, bridging the ensemble’s history with new musical directions.
“The repertoire this year reflects a connection between our past and present”, Loi noted. “I selected several pieces from our programmes over the last ten years that hold special meaning for us”.
Among these retrospective highlights is Ennio Morricone’s Cinema Paradiso, specially arranged for the saxophone ensemble by Ip Kim Kuok. The concert will also debut new arrangements, including Bliss by Dutch composer Douwe Eisenga, who participated in last year’s Phone Show and reworked the piece specifically for this anniversary. Additionally, Loi and Bornkamp will perform a duet titled Cantos de euforia y nostalgia (Songs of euphoria and nostalgia), arranged by Spanish composer Manuel Bonino Medina.
A major highlight of the evening will be Jacob Ter Veldhuis’s Tallahatchie Saxophone Concerto*, which features Bornkamp performing alongside the local ensemble. Loi underlined that this challenging work is a must-hear for local music lovers.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Forward
Reflecting on the past decade, Loi noted that maintaining the ensemble’s high performance standards has been both a core challenge and a primary goal.
“The greatest challenge has been the difficulty of the pieces and the formats we present,” Loi said. “We have performed many orchestral adaptations that demand high technical precision, which is always a significant test for our players.”
Loi expressed gratitude to the MBDA for providing consistent support. He also thanked the dedicated ensemble members, many of whom have stayed with the project since 2016. Looking towards the next 10 years, Loi hopes the ensemble will continue to collaborate with diverse musicians and explore new artistic formats.
A Witness to Growth
For ensemble member Cynthia Chan Lok Si, the Phone Show tracks her own journey as a musician. Chan has participated in the concert series since its first edition in 2016.
“The Phone Show was an important turning point in my instrumental career,” Chan said. “To have a stable group to perform and socialise with through music is valuable, and playing once a year has become a tradition.”
Over the past decade, Chan has seen the group develop. In 2016, the ensemble comprised mostly students including herself, but now over half the players are adults, with many pursuing professional careers as saxophone players. The playing level of the group has substantially improved since the early days, leading to a stronger musical connection among members.
“In the beginning, it was an opportunity to meet new friends and improve my technique,” Chan said. “Now, it gives us the opportunity to hang out and reconnect with old friends. It represents each stage of my life,” she said. As a musician myself, I am equally aware how rare it is in Macau to have a group of people and an event witness one’s musical growth over ten years or more.
Chan also noted that the Phone Show regularly invites international guests to perform and host masterclasses for local players. Because a dedicated saxophone ensemble is rare globally, the group has also had the opportunity to debut original pieces written specifically for this format by contemporary composers.
Audiences will have two opportunities to attend the performance of Arno Bornkamp at the Macau Cultural Centre Small Auditorium. The programme begins with an Arno Bornkamp Recital on July 21 at 7:45 p.m., followed by the main “Phone Show” Concert the next evening, July 22, also at 7:45 p.m. Tickets for both events are priced at 300 patacas, with various discounts available. To see the full repertoire, visit www.ccm.gov.mo/othershow/75918
* The composer has noted that the word “Tallahatchie” – a Native American (Choctaw) word meaning “river of rocks” – occurred to him spontaneously while writing the piece. He quickly adopted it as the central metaphor for the concerto: The river represents the relentless forward flow of time. The rocks represent happenings, events, or obstacles encountered along the journey. – Gemini
A collage of moments (rehearsal, group pose, and live performance) featuring the Macau Band Directors Association saxophone ensemble from the inaugural “Phone Show” in 2016.
File photo of Hugo Loi conducting – Photos provided by Loi
