RECREATION AND THE ARTS
To further widen the audience base and enhance international recognition, the orchestra recorded two records which were released in August and September respectively.
Hong Kong Dance Company
The Hong Kong Dance Company, founded by the Urban Council in 1981, is the only professional dance company in Hong Kong to present traditional and Chinese folk dances and new dance dramas choreographed on Chinese and Hong Kong themes. Under the artistic directorship of Ms Shu Qiao, the 40-member company presented five major productions in 27 performances, attracting 10 600 people. Apart from major productions, the company also gave free lecture demonstrations and performances at civic centres, schools and district community centres attracting 17 300 people.
The year's highlight was a bold innovation, the concurrent staging of five dances in two different versions of the 50's and 80's in one production entitled Chinese Classical Dance Present and Past. Presented in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre's Studio Theatre as part of its opening festival in November the show was warmly received by the audience.
Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra continued to attract large audiences in 1989. In mid-year, the orchestra moved to its new home at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and began to present concerts at its new concert hall. During the year, 66 public concerts were presented to an audience of 111 298.
David Atherton succeeded Kenneth Schermerhorn as the Music Director in September. He was assisted by Principal Guest Conductor Kenneth Jean and Resident Conductor Yip Wing-sie.
In 1989, the orchestra co-operated with many artists and performing groups. Guest conductors included Donald Johanos, Jorge Mester, Alexander Rahbari and Richard Bradshaw. Distinguished artists appearing with the orchestra included Barry Tuckwell, Dmitri Alexeev, Sergei Edelman, Barry Douglas, Joaquin Achucarro, Peter Donohoe, Imogen Cooper and Rafael Orozco. Accompaniment was provided to the opera pro- duction Norma, the Hong Kong Ballet and the programmes in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre opening festival featuring international stars Jessye Norman, Dame Joan Sutherland and John Williams and groups such as the Bach Choir of London and the Royal Danish Ballet.
The orchestra continued with its ambitious audience development programme. About 25 free concerts were played for some 26 967 students. Fringe activities were organised for the Friends of the Philharmonic whose membership grew to over 2 500. A Creative Music Workshop and meet-the-artist sessions were organised. The newsletter Upbeat appeared regularly, reporting and supporting the orchestra's activities.
In April, the Urban Council took up the sole public funding responsibility of the orchestra which used to receive financial support from the council and the government.
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Over 700 local and visiting artists from 13 countries took part in the 17th Hong Kong Arts Festival which ran from January 28 to February 26, 1989. A wide spectrum of programmes covering music, dance, drama, visual arts and entertainment was offered in 122 perform- ances. This was complemented by a major scale Bauhaus Exhibition as well as film shows, talks and master classes.
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