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ARTS
Pogorelich
The brilliant Belgrade-born pianist Ivo Pogorelich
takes to the stage this month for a lengthy oneman
showcase of Liszt, Schumann, Stravinsky,
and Brahms. Pogorelich has been called many
things: a genius, a poet, and a visionary “200
years ahead of our time.” And you thought the
future was all about rap and dubstep. Dec 9,
8pm. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury
Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $200-500 from www.urbtix.hk.
Yundi Li at the HK Coliseum
Yundi Li has become a household name since
winning the prestigious International Chopin
Piano Competition at the tender age of 18—with
his signature wind-blown, Takuya Kimura-style
coiffure that he’s chopped off in recent
years. Shame. He’s also perhaps the biggest
modern proponent of Chopin’s music. Li plays
Hong Kong’s Coliseum for the first time this
December—don’t miss it! Dec 13, 8:15pm. Hong
Kong Coliseum, 9 Cheong Wan Rd., Hung Hom.
$250-1,250 from www.urbtix.hk.
HK Philharmonic with
Lang Lang
Piano superstar Lang
Lang barely needs an
introduction; He takes the
stage this December for
an epic presentation of piano concertos with
the HK Philharmonic and Principal Conductor
Jaap Van Zweden. It’ll be two very different
affairs on the two evenings: the spotlight will be
on Mozart’s famed last piano concerto on the
first night, and on the romance of Tchaikovsky’s
works on the second. Dec 18-19, 8pm. Concert
Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha
Tsui. $480-1,980 from www.urbtix.hk.
Photo:Harald Hoffmann
Alessandro Lanzoni Jazz Trio
Following on from a slew of rave reviews and
accolades, jazz pianist Alessandro Lanzoni was
recognized as the best new talent of the year
in 2013 by Musica Jazz magazine for being
a forerunner of contemporary Italian jazz.
Presumably the secret lies in syncopating your
gesticulating. See Lanzoni’s trio with Matteo
Bortone on the double bass and Enrico Morello
on the drums at a free concert at the Hong
Kong Arts Centre. Be sure to register early for
a spot. Dec 19, 8pm. Shouson Theatre, Arts
Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai. Free; register
at eventbrite.com.
Maksim
The Croatian-born pianist Maksim Mrvica is
known for his lightning fast playing, for being
one of the first to make it big by blending upbeat
dance rhythms into classical piano, but perhaps
most of all, for his goth-rock bad boy image
which earned him a massive following across
Asia in the early-to-mid noughties. See the man
performing in Hong Kong for the first time ever,
accompanied by his band. He’s only playing one
show, so get your tickets quick—they’re sure to
be snapped up in a flash. Dec 21, 4pm. Hall 5G,
HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai. $380-880 from
www.hkticketing.com.
Island Express Jazz Orchestra
Live at Fringe Dairy
The Island Express Jazz Orchestra is Hong
Kong’s very own big band—headed by music
director Shoichi Chinda, the musicians and solo
vocalist Ela Allegre, who come from a variety of
international backgrounds. They’ll be playing a
tasty selection of big band jazz standards and
songs by contemporary jazz composers Bob
Mintzer, Frank Mantooth and Matt Catingub.
Dec 27, 10pm. Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Rd.,
Central, 2525-1032. $120-150 includes one drink.
Comedy
ComedyHK Presents: Brent Weinbach
America’s kookiest rising star Brent Weinbach
sparks off his Asian debut this December.
His refreshing, surreal humor and deadpan
delivery has earned him a dedicated following
in the States. On top of already having had the
spotlight on him on the Comedy Central and talk
show circuit, he’s appeared on the alt stand-up
tour “The Comedians of Comedy” with Zach
Galifianakis, and was also a winner of the Andy
Kaufman award, a yearly accolade recognizing
innovation in stand-up comedy. Much of
Weinbach’s routines take on character snippets
from real life: wanna see him don the attitude
of a hardcore gangster, the smarm of a jazz
musician, or let out an impression of his Filipino
uncle Get your tickets before December 8 for
$250, or $300 at the door. Tuesday’s gig is held
at Salon de Ning (The Peninsula, Salisbury Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui), Wednesday at Sunset Lounge
(100 Cyberport Rd., Cyberport), and Thursday at
Dada Bar and Lounge (The Luxe Manor Hotel, 39
Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui). Dec 9-11, 8:30pm.
Opera
Puccini’s Turandot
Puccini’s famous last opera, “Turandot,” is
known for being full of conundrums. Based
in China, it centers on the story of Princess
Turandot, who gives her suitors three riddles
that they must answer correctly for her hand in
marriage. If they fail, they are beheaded. When
Prince Calaf gets all three correct, the Princess
backs out of her promise. Calaf offers to set
her free and take his own life—but only if she
can guess his name. How’s that for a Chinese
puzzle The opera was left unfinished when
Puccini passed away in 1924, and there are two
endings that were subsequently written—The
Franco Alfano endings will be played on the
first and third performances, and the Luciano
Berio ones on the second and last. It’s the first
time ever that both endings will be played in the
same production. Dec 12-13, 7:45pm; Dec 13-14,
2:30pm. Concert Hall, City Hall, 5 Edinburgh
Place, Central. $150-630 from www.urbtix.hk.
Advertorial
40 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, December 5, 2014