(bron: Classical:Next)

Classical:NEXT Opening Night
Hong Kong / TAKE OFF

Rotterdam/Berlin: The Opening Night of Classical:NEXT 2021 Hong Kong / TAKEOFF breaks new ground and presents a 45-minute live virtual performance connecting musicians in Hong Kong and the New European Ensemble in the Netherlands. A borderless musical journey reflects the challenges of our time and how they can lead to innovative paths. 

The show will unveil the latest in Hong Kong’s classical music scene, taking delegates on a journey through four episodes, entitled NEXT – Nostalgic, Energetic, eXciting and Technological. Hong Kong / TAKEOFF offers a window looking out to the past and the present, the East and the West, the potential and the possibilities of Hong Kong’s music making that underpin the city’s position as Asia’s cultural hub. 

The four NEXT episodes start with the unique music and sounds of Cantonese culture of southern China, reflecting the city’s historical root, followed by a dialogue between Chinese and Western classical instruments. The sonic journey continues with a musical feast of choreography, literary narration and interspersing ensemble pieces. Cinematic experience then takes over, drawing the senses to visual images and soundscape interwoven to conjure a mesmerising impression of Hong Kong. The final episode of the musical ride takes the audience to contemporary Hong Kong, featuring an experimental performance collective that makes good use of new technologies to express new ideas and connect with the world.

The 2021 Classical:NEXT Opening Night will be presented by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, curated and produced by Louis Siu with artistic director Fung Lam. For the first time the Opening will take place in the Grote Zaal (Main Hall) of de Doelen, which is the home of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

2021 Project Pitches Selection

The following 14 jury-selected Project Pitches will be presented daily from 14:00 to 15:15 in de Doelen. They cover a range of some of the most exciting art music projects and burning issues from around the world. Classical:NEXT Project Pitches are targeted, fast-moving opportunities for creators and those on the lookout for new creations, a ‘seek and find’ for collaboration and inspiration.

The selected projects are: