Resonating Through Time and Space - 'Chord-Difference: Boundless Music 2026' [Tai Kwun FAN Early Bird Offer]

Overview

As the finale of the music festival, 'Resonating Through Time and Space' showcases the culmination of a year-long cultural exchange between the German ensemble KLASSIK underground and a group of outstanding Hong Kong musicians. Comprising members of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, KLASSIK underground collaborates with top-tier Chinese instrumentalists from Hong Kong to explore creative frictions between Eastern and Western musical traditions in a modern context.

Inspired by KLASSIK underground's visit to Tai Kwun in 2025, the project evolved into an international residency. Hong Kong musicians traveled to Leipzig to delve into the ensemble's avant-garde musical perspective, which is deeply rooted in the city's historic architectural and underground music spaces. Guided by Goethe's philosophy that "the harmony of the whole gives meaning to existence," the concert features a profound artistic dialogue, pairing traditional dizi melodies with the clarinet motifs of Messiaen's 'Quartet for the End of Time.'

Highlights

• Cross-Cultural Experimentation: Bold arrangements include Vivaldi's 'Mandolin Concerto' performed on the liuqin, and a reimagining of Brahms' 'Clarinet Quintet' on the sheng.
• World Premiere: Hong Kong composer Lawrence Lau's (陸尉俊) new work, 'Under the Same Sky,' is threaded throughout the program, utilizing contemporary textures to connect diverse cultural and historical eras.
• Classical Masterpieces: The repertoire features a sophisticated structure, ranging from J.S. Bach's 'Musical Offering' to Messiaen’s iconic quartet movements, ensuring a high-caliber artistic experience.

Performers

The performance features a stellar lineup of international and local musicians:

• Co-curator/Viola: Tahlia Petrosian (KLASSIK underground)
• Co-curator/Composer-in-Residence: Lawrence Lau (陸尉俊)
• Violin: Kıvanç Tire, Nathalie Schmalhofer (KLASSIK underground)
• Cello: Gayane Khachatryan (KLASSIK underground)
• Clarinet: Edgar Heßke (KLASSIK underground)
• Chinese Instruments: Kung Wai-kin (Dizi), Pang Wing-man (Ruan/Liuqin), Loo Sze-wang (Sheng), Wan Xing (Guzheng)

Program

• Traditional Dizi Solo: 'Spring Dawn at West Lake'
• Lawrence Lau: 'Under the Same Sky' (World Premiere) - I. 'Encounter'
• Vivaldi: 'Mandolin Concerto'
• J.S. Bach: 'Musical Offering', BWV 1079: 'Ricercar a 6'
• Lawrence Lau: 'Under the Same Sky' (World Premiere) - II. 'Connecting Threads'
• Brahms: 'Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115', 4th Movement
• Wan Xing (Arr.): 'Seikilos Epitaph' x 'Three Variations on Plum Blossom' Intermission (20 minutes)
• Lawrence Lau: 'Under the Same Sky' (World Premiere) - III. 'Bridge of Heaven'
• Handel-Halvorsen: 'Passacaglia for Violin and Viola'
• Messiaen: 'Quartet for the End of Time', 3rd Movement: 'Abyss of the Birds'
• Lawrence Lau: 'Under the Same Sky' (World Premiere) - IV. 'Under the Same Sky'

Venue & Access

The performance will take place at the Prison Yard, Tai Kwun, located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, with easy accessibility via the Central-Mid-Levels escalator system.

Ticketing

• Ticket Price: HKD 380
• Ticketing: Tickets are available via art-mate.
• Discounts: Tai Kwun FAN members are eligible for a 30% discount during the Early Bird period (Oct 22 – Nov 9, 2026). Various package discounts and concessionary rates for eligible individuals are also available (see the booking page for full details).