HK Phil: Swire Maestro Series: Maxim Emelyanychev Conducts The Nutcracker

About the show

Russian conductor Maxim Emelyanychev has been hailed by BBC Music Magazine as a "born conductor," with The Guardian praising his performances as "five-star" — his debut with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the BBC Proms dazzled audiences with an "unforgettable, energetic Mozart." Now making his first collaboration with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, he takes on the dual role of soloist and conductor, performing Mozart's brilliant concertos from the keyboard and showcasing his prowess in both spheres. He pairs these with a work from his Russian homeland: Rachmaninoff's early piece The Rock, which carries the touching bond between the young composer and his mentor Tchaikovsky. To close, Emelyanychev's lithe conducting conjures sparkling magic in selections from Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, adding joy to the festive season. For this "Swire Maestro Series" concert, the Hong Kong Philharmonic has invited this gifted musician to lead the orchestra in a festive programme blending concerto, symphony, and ballet suite. The repertoire moves from Mozart's radiance to Rachmaninoff's heartfelt narrative, ending with the fairy-tale enchantment of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker — a treat for all lovers of classical music and holiday spirit.

Synopsis translated by KinoHK — the performance itself is not in English unless stated above.